February, the month of love

February, the month of love. Yes it is often associated with the romantic commercial type of love but for me this month is a beautiful reminder of my love for nature. I have often wondered where and when this love was sparked. I know that this love is vital to me and I have a huge appreciation for the seasons, as honouring them and learning from their overcharging flow has been a massive part of my healing journey.

I grew up on a farm, surrounded by beautiful hills here in Wales. We had the joy of living next to my grandparents and my grandfather Baba, was a farmer. I have fond memories of him and his sheepdogs working the land and the livestock.

The combine harvesters that would come in summer to cut the crops, the feeding of the lambs in Spring, the tending to the land in winter. These were all seasonal milestones that never changed, from that routine there came such comfort. There was such a feeling of freedom and space out on the farm.

Then there was my grandmother Bess, who took such pleasure in her garden. At this time of year she loved to walk around the garden with her cats, looking for those first sweet signs of spring: the crocus, the snow drops. For pocket money she’d pay us to dead head her daffodils, a £1 a bucket and it was a big bucket! In Summer we would help (actually hinder thinking about it now) in her greenhouse. It always smelt of tomatoes, there was always a sense of ease there. Her garden represented happiness, play, joy and laughter. In gardens you can run free.

Then my father, his love was and still is, woodland and being amongst trees. A day out for the family would be tromping to the wood, having hot chocolates, probably a camp fire, then planting trees (this was unpaid!). The woodland and the trees are still there today. As you stand in a woodland you feel the trees standing majestically still watching over you, there is a stillness so great in a woodland. Different birds sing in the woods to the garden, they don’t really sing, they call and croak out. Even now as I return to the same woods, I often stand and absorb the quiet, I want those qualities of the wise old trees to be reflected in my bones.

Last but by no means least Mum, she too loved her garden. So many happy days spent being outside as a child with her as she pottered, planted and planned her garden. We ran wild, oh the freedom we had, it was heavenly. Mum always jumped for joy at the first signs of Spring, forever telling us to watch out for the bulbs coming through as we careered around our bikes. As the warmer months began she would note the first signs of the Swallows in her diary, that day representing the arrival of Summer. I now do the same.

So the four greatest pillars of my upbringing were lovers of nature. The all found there emotional regulation outside. So it’s no wonder that I do to. It brings me such joy now to share that with my children. I might not have the luxury of raising them on a farm with woodland but nature is all around. With the lighter mornings we have starting visiting the park before school for a brisk bike ride or walk. That blast of air on our faces and fresh air in our lungs is our therapy. We are spotting the bright daffodils, the crocus that are coming up and listening to the sound of the happy birds.

We humans are all a part of nature, sometimes we lose sight of that and we just have to keep finding our paths back to it. Being in tune with it, discovering places where there is no resistance allows us to feel peace, ease and flow.

I ask you have you seen your first Snowdrop? If not come and visit us here on a retreat and you will see them in abundance.

 

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