Labyrinths of Love
“Be careful – watch for the others walking the labyrinth!” cautioned the mom of two preschoolers scampering across the labyrinth paths. It was a very large classic 7 circuit labyrinth and the boys had been careful thus far. Truly I was enjoying their energy as they collected and arranged the fallen flowers found on the path. Smiling, I assured their mom that the boys were delightful. When I admired the floral creations, she told me their story.
Perhaps you can imagine the scene, as if you were stepping onto the labyrinth. Looking around, you see that the labyrinth is enclosed by plantings – trees, rhododendrons, hostas, ferns, and more. Everything is lush summer green, except the path itself. Crushed white shells glow a bit in the welcome shade from the midsummer warmth. The wide labyrinth paths gently flow within and around specimen trees planted by the garden’s caretakers fifty years ago. A bit of sunlight illuminates two small boys, the older quietly directing the younger. Their energy is playful, but as you observe more closely, it is clear that they are working with purpose and intention. The rest of the very busy public garden has receded from your awareness. As you move along the path, the boys also recede as you go within to a state of contemplation. Walking along, you might be repeating a mantra, or breathing deeply, or becoming more open to your inner voice. When you reach the far side of the labyrinth, you see white flowers prettily arranged within the multiple trunks of a stewartia koreana tree.
The sweet little boys had been at their work for quite some time. Gathering many, many fallen stewartia flowers from the path, they had returned them to the parent tree. The prettiest floral arrangements now glowed in the angles amidst the multiple tree trunks.
Their mom explained that they were returning the fallen flowers to the tree so the flowers would grow again.
Hope. Faith. Light. Love. May the simple actions these boys fill your heart. May nature’s peace grow.
In peace,
Gale
Note: This lovely labyrinth is open to the public at Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich, Massachusetts. It is a 7-circuit classical labyrinth designed by Marty Cain.