The wind swirls unpredictably today and I feel affinity for its sudden shifts and change from calm to a gust blowing branches and shrubs every which way. Today the wind blows close to the ground why the clouds appear almost stationary in the sky. When the wind is so close to the earth, it creates an unsettling feeling as to what will happen next. So the wind reflects what many of us feel or at least me…uncertainty.

By embracing uncertainty in life will I feel less sorrow and grief or simply be free to fully feel my sorrow and grief for Jana’s death and her mother, Carolyn?   By fully feeing will I then feel the freedom of living?

Posted by: Anne

Near the maintenance barn between the woods at Winterthur and Wilmington Country Club, the great horned owl perches in early evening. My friend Susan loves to go owl spotting as I do. We especially love this time of year because the owls are mating and the woods are clear. Most of the time that we walk, we talk and talk but not so when we take the adventure to search for owls. Then we fall into silence letting the woods talk and the owl call.

I don’t know why I am so drawn to the owl but I marvel at its silent flight through the woods navigating so carefully between the trees. Perhaps it is the isolation or solitary nature of the owl that calls to me in some deep way.  Mostly, however, it is the fact that the owl thrives at the gloaming, the special time when day is ending and night begins, bridging the two worlds with complete detached composure. A lesson for me to learn-

Posted by: Anne

From my cottage, I could see the wide open sky of the sun’s movement over the year rising in the northern eastern sky and observe it slowly moving south with each sunrise, subtle yet profound. On my walks, I would see the hawks perching lower on the trees as winter came, conserving energy perhaps or maybe simply well fed by the abundance nature provided with the leaves fallen from the trees. In my heart, I could feel a connection with nature that I believe Henry Francis duPont fostered through his lush seasonal gardens always bringing delight and through the woods acre upon acre of hardy trees. As I walked the paths, I felt comforted and consoled, inspired and awed, and alive. I am grateful that Henry Francis duPont of incredible wealth provided such a gift to the public to enjoy and that he saw such value in nature, woods and gardens. The lessons learned at Winterthur have helped me to cope with loss of beloved ones and to live true to my heart.

Posted by: Anne