THE GENEROUS HEALER

Rev. Dr. Kate Winters, “Dwelling in Presence,” August 9, 2023

I was determined to use this early morning to read my new book or write my next blog post. But after I made my coffee and went to the living room, I heard the leaves singing the breeze through the trees outside. I felt the cool flow of air on my face and bare legs and settled down to take it all in. To enjoy it. My book and journal remained untouched for over an hour as these gifts of the earth touched my senses and soothed my soul. Joel emerged from the bedroom expecting me to be lost in a book, but instread I was lost in the pleasure of the wind, the song of the trees, and the scent of high summer.

I am sensing changes occurring in me. Yesterday I was reading an article about the numerous natural springs located throughout Maine. I was reminded of a single spring that we used to visit in the summer in Putnam County, New York, when I was a child. It was piped out of a rock configuration and it was sheer joy to cup our hands and drink straight from it, the water crystal clear and freezing cold! I asked Joel if we could journey to visit these springs in their various settings in the Maine countryside. This was an unusual request to come from me, the nearly agoraphobic homebody of late. I am usually asking him to accompany me to a new bookstore or a coffee shop. I think he, my nature man, was happy with this new venture.

I can sense a yearning to have these waters splash all over me. Now, where did that come from? The desire to cool off in that freezing spray? The more that I think about it, I think it is connected to my longing for healing. Inner and outer.

When I was in the hospital, not long after coming out of anaesthesia, the television set was on a channel of music and nature scenes, mostly water – ocean waves, babbling brooks, flowing streams, cascading waterfalls. I remember imagining all that water flowing over me when I was not really conscious of anything else. It soothed me. Touched me in a way that the soft breeze is caressing me this morning. I think the healing nature and feel of water was planted in my brain when I was barely aware of what was going on.

Unfortunately, when I got home, I was terrified of taking a shower because of having to deal with the fresh incision. But now that my scar and I are on much friendlier terms, I am actually considering shopping for a bathing suit even though I have not put one on in years! I am longing for the water. It is calling me like the morning wind song.

The earth is a healer. I want to learn to touch and heal her in return.