My mother, daughter and I shut down September with a glorious excursion to a magical forest teeming with elves and fairies and talking birds. I mean I'm pretty sure it was enchanted but considering my sometimes wild imagination, I wouldn't blame you for taking such a claim by yours truly with a rather large grain of salt (if you're into "boring," that is). Also present, was our parish's beloved choir director who happens to be somewhat of an expert on wild mushrooms, and who kindly offered to share with us a bit of his vast knowledge on the various types of mushrooms in our area. Who knew, first of all, that mushrooms could be so beautiful, and that searching for them on a quiet morning while the sun warms your shoulders and makes the leaves, the rocks, the water shine and sparkle, could be so very calming and peaceful - that a leisurely hike through the woods could soothe momentarily the lingering malaise in my soul born of what I would imagine to be a longing for the Kingdom of Heaven? Being literally surrounded by, confronted by, the mind-blowing intricacies of creation bolstered my belief in Eternity. "I like nature," Mary, who certainly resembled with her glowing cheeks and wind-blown hair some kind of mythical woodland creature, told me more than once while stuffing the autumn themed treasures she'd discovered on our walk into the pocket of my fleece grey hoodie.
Me too.
