I ventured out to Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge in Concord for a walk to celebrate the first day of Fall. A lingering sadness settled on my heart as I thought of the summer, with it's fullness of life, now slowly fading like the setting sun into the darkness of the earth.
As I wandered down the well-worn path, my thoughts trailed off.... A loud rustling in the nearby marsh grass startled me. A greenish brown blur whizzed in front of me. My eyes flashed to the wonder and awe of a leopard frog that landed smack in center of my path. My knees buckled beneath me as I felt the hard earth beneath my knees.
I sat motionless...watching...wondering. Every living creature is designed and made uniquely to suit its unique environment and purpose. This particular frog -- with it's trademark brown spots and lime green accent -- faced west, scanning the nearby Concord River; perhaps anticipating a relaxing swim or scrumptious meal awaiting him. The frog poised and ready to jump sat only a long arm's reach away. Observing him, I wondered if there were some universal understanding between frogs and humans. Then more philosophical questions intruded... "Does it know that I mean no harm...that I send only loving thoughts?" I whispered a faint greeting in nearly inaudible tones...hoping for connection...seemingly impossible, so I thought.
The leopard frog turned and took a purposeful hop towards me...then two then three...as though determined to confront this strange creature observing him. He sat in front of me resting on his haunches with wide eyes locked into mine. Minutes passed...then the absurdity of the moment took over as I thought, "Could this be my frog prince - finally after decades of waiting - come to sweep me off my feet?" No, I thought to myself, I would not kiss this green and brown speckled frog! Absolutely not!
Hmmnn...I wondered, why then was he staring at me so intensely? Well...maybe I would reconsider. My head twitched slightly as I pondered the thought. In that split second, the frog, startled by my sudden movement, leapt away from me in a single bound. Just my luck...always scaring them off!
As I watched his trajectory into the nearby brush, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a rock pressed into the dirt-laden trial. It was a heart-shaped rock. Small - slightly broken on one lobe - but clearly it qualified as a heart rock. My mind reached back to the beginning of my walk, as I remembered the sadness and emptiness weighing heavy on my heart. Always searching for heart rocks wherever I go, this excursion was no different. I'd thought I might find a heart rock. Heart Rocks have always represented a simple, yet, powerful statement and touchstone for me that love is everywhere. I'd felt lonely and empty all day...the walk in the meadows allowed me to cry out to God for his mercy, comfort and love. He answered in sweet reply through the language of a frog's leap of faith toward me, possibly in order to bring me the message that "love is patient..." but we need to take that Leap of Faith...that it will be found, in places and times not always of our choosing.
© 2007 ~ Writings from the Heart-Rock Collective
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