A litte more about me

E.O. Wilson conceived the word Biophilia to suggest that “humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life.” I don’t know the scientific underpinnings, but this feels true. How can it not? We’re not merely a part of nature; we are living, breathing expressions of nature. Forget this, and we forget ourselves.

Nature has always had an outsized influence on my life and imagination. My urge to connect has existed for as long as I can remember. Despite obvious impediments and childish redundancies, I wanted to be a “puppy dog” when I grew up; spent much of the summer of my tenth year as a “bunny rabbit;” and blew wishes for my very own “baby fawn” over every dandelion.

Life pulls us in myriad directions. Culture encourages us to adapt to what it currently deems “normal.” Too frequently, we find ourselves ashamed of the innocent, “childlike” urges of our hearts. We sometimes force ourselves into forgetting. But, if we do, nature is patient and helps us remember. Like that moment, nearly twenty years ago, when a slim gray catbird showed up in our tiny yard and initiated a singular and unexpected friendship that lasted over ten years. His descendants still visit, and though the relationship is different, I still benefit from their presence and their singing.

Now, curled up beside me, is a small, fawn-colored, fey creature with large ears and white belly, named Mina. So maybe, just maybe, breathing all those tiny white parasols into flight worked after all…