wise child

It turns out that the same medicine that's been healing my heart seems to be calling to my youngest. Creative self-expression and plenty of time interacting with our land are powerful doses of just what's needed. I've witnessed her over the last few days quietly tending (and mending) bits of her soul through the process of fortifying and beautifying her sky tipi. She's let me know in her own words what very important and serious work it is. This was not play. And it was her "project" (her process).

First came additions of new sticks to strengthen the frame. Next, a floor was made of soft White Pine needles gathered by the armload. A single feather from one of our Buff Orpington's was tucked into the top. Later stones filled an old red wagon and circled the base. She's hoping to add several layers to make a "solid foundation". 

 More feathers from our molting hens were collected, and log seating for two was added. 

  The most recent touch... bouquets of russet colored magnolia leaves. 

As I watched her adding new elements each day, I marveled at the incorporation of so many significant pieces of this year's story. I don't think it was a coincidence. 

-Our chickens, which we adopted in the spring to represent new life, hope, and abundance.

-Leaves from our beloved little Magnolia tree that symbolized just how connected we were to nature's cycles and earth's weather patterns. 

-Logs from the wood shed that signified strength, security, and pride.

Our children know so much more than we give them credit for. Their wisdom doesn't come from life experience, but inner resources and a connection to intuition that hasn't been taught to doubt yet. Our job as parents is to nurture those innate abilities of theirs so that they don't lose it along the road to adulthood. Well, that's what I believe, at least.