“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
~ Thich
Nhat Hanh
For Today's Touchstone reflection on the gift of
reverence, I'm sharing a true story about an 8-year-old girl's visit to a local zoo. This was told to me by the girl's mother, who also sent this photo:
"The strangest thing happened at the Brevard Zoo today when we were at meerkat exhibit. There were only 3 or 4 meerkats in view
for awhile. Some other kids came and went. Some of them tapped the glass. Lexi got mad at them and protective of the animals. Once Lexi and I were alone again at the exhibit, and she was sitting at the glass, all of a sudden 15-20 meerkats came running to the window toward her. They came out of holes and crevices and seemed to come out of nowhere just to see Lexi, their protector. It was the craziest, coolest thing. This picture was taken after some of them left the window. It took me
a little time to get my phone. But you can see a bunch of them still at the window, looking at Lexi."
So, did the meerkats perceive what had happened? Could they sense the different attitudes and feelings of the children involved? Can they tell when they are respected and valued, as we can? Might they
have reverence for us? There is so much we don't yet know about all life forms.
By the way, that 8-year-old girl, Lexi, is my granddaughter. And the mom is my daughter, Krista.
Thank you Alexis and Krista for
permission to share this beautiful story and use the photograph.
With love and gratitude,
Charlene
BEAUTY: May your deeds reflect its depth. - from The Twelve Gifts of Birth
