A Fable: The Lady of The Trees and The Guardian of The Forest
Endowed with a magical gift The Lady of the Trees transformed into a delicate butterfly when she wanted to venture more deeply into her forest. Here her soul was nourished by the energy of the forest and it was here she could commune with those who had journeyed to the stars long ago. One day she too would leave her beloved forest and take her place in the cosmos. As years passed, The Lady of The Trees as she was known, had grown in wisdom and compassion and radiated an inner beauty as she aged. Her life had been marked with sadness and loss yet tempered with joy, gratitude, compassion and loving relationships. Hers was a life now focused on being a healing presence for others.
Following the death of her mate, she began a journey of self-discovery. She lived alone yet was not lonely. Always curious she longed for adventure. One day she heard rumors of a stranger now living in the forest. It was rumored he too had a magical gift. He was the Guardian of The Forest
Becoming the butterfly, she watched his interaction with the creatures of the forest and the villagers who met him on the trails. She was taken with his friendliness, gentleness and genuine love of the Trees. Something unexpected stirred within her. It was a deep longing to reconnect with this stranger she sensed she once knew. How could that be? This tall striking stranger was much younger than her. At his side was huge friendly dog who sensed her presence as she fluttered by. She landed lightly on an overhanging branch and watched as he settled down at the base of the Mother Tree, his dog at his feet and fell asleep. She knew she would come back and she did. This time as the Lady of The Trees.
So began a relationship rich in conversation and genuine appreciation of one another’s presence. As time went on he brought forth a passion in her that she never knew existed. This stranger too was rebuilding his life. He shared he was still struggling with choices had made in another life and their consequences. He was also still processing the deaths of his parents. There was complicated grief to work through now to heal. With it came anxiety and bouts of depression.
The Lady of The Trees looked deeply and saw the beauty and wholeness camouflaged within the stranger. He had captured her heart. This stranger needed alone time and he silently withdrew for long periods unannounced and unexpectedly. Painful for the Lady of the Trees. She always believed he would return knowing only he knew the reason for his withdrawing.
He did return and explained how he became overwhelmed. He expressed his deep caring for her and his need to take things slow. She appreciated hearing that. He was starting to keep in contact daily which was a delight for her. Then a storm hit. Exhausted freezing and helping others, he was unable to follow through on letting her know what was happening and he couldn’t t see her as planned. He also had expressed worry about his home.
In her vulnerability, and disappointment, there must have seemed like a lack of compassion for what was happening.. Her timing to comment and communicate what she hoped for or needed in a relationship was the worst it could have been. She was more of a disappointing or hurtful presence rather than a healing presence.
The Lady of The Trees had lost more than her magical gift of transforming into a butterfly. The Guardian of the Forest has withdrawn.
JMB