Rest and Renewal: “Wherever you are is called Here.”
Hello to all! For the last three months I have been traveling in the USA, visiting family and friends. Tomorrow I will fly back to Beijing, and I will be adding new blog posts later this fall. There is still much to say about our life in the Middle East- especially about the role of women- and I also look forward to sharing observations about all aspects of daily life from inside Asia. Our experiences there have been fascinating.
While in the USA, a highlight was attending the Middlebury Alumni College on the Breadloaf Mountain campus with my college roommate and longtime friend, Louise Cadwell. For those of you interested in education, children, and the arts, explore her beautiful website, Cadwell Collaborative. It is a joy to behold! We took a four day seminar, Robert Frost and his Forest, with the brilliant and talented professor and writer, John Elder. The course included walks through the same woods that inspired and comforted Frost. Nature was his guide. I leave you with this poem, by David Wagoner, called “Lost”, because it touches on Frost’s message and grounds us as we seek our place and our way in this world.
“Stand still.
The trees and bushes beside you
Are not lost.
Wherever you are is called Here.
If what a tree or bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost.
Stand still. The forest knows
where you are.
You must let it find you.”
Expat Eyes 
What a lovely reminder to pay attention and be present! Trees as guides.
Thank you, Rena for your blog, your photos and your thoughtful and provocative writing about the world. Louise
Thank you for sharing this wise poem and the beautiful photos of the forest. Safe travels and a multitude of blessings every step of the way.
Amen Rena! Most of my more spiritual moments have been spent in the woods. Anxious for more of your posts and pictures…they always tap something deeper in me. Thanks!! Be safe…xo