Sky had been crying on and off all morning and I was beginning to feel my calm slip away. Knowing that the outdoors solves many problems, I decided to push through to get all the woollies on and head outside into the frosty, overcast morning.
Phoenix had been working on a gnome home in the woods and he was eager to get back to it. A week ago, he had found a rotting tree stump and over many days had diligently carved out the inner soft wood creating a cozy house with tunnel entrances. I had helped him to make a ladder, and roof. We were returning to put on the finishing touches. I brought some candles and the smudge sticks we had made during our Halloween potion play.
I carried Sky in my arms and she stopped crying as we passed the chicken house beginning to look around and notice her farm friends. I pulled open the rusty old gate to the cow field and we walked down the ridge to the place my mom has named “The Magical Forest” an open pine grove with very little underbrush and a thick carpet of moss.
We walked to the gnome home and Phoenix put out a little wool blanket he had made on a branch bench, and he gathered sticks to make a tiny pretend fire. I set up candles around the space then invited Phoenix and Sky to light the smudge sticks. I sat back to watch. Sky’s face lit up as she saw the smoke pluming up, she waved it around carefully in the air and said “I feel calm”. Phoenix began using the smoke in brushing motions saying he was cleaning.
The candle light burnt the damp, chill away and the forest took on a magical glow. I sat in awe suddenly very still and present enjoying the moment the kids were creating.
This stillness lasted for several glorious minutes before the moment moved on and the kids were ready for snacks and began chatting again about further plans for the gnome home. The magic stuck with me all day and created a crack in my everyday headspace which allowed a new light and energy to enter
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