When I was eleven, a girl of my own age was tragically murdered while walking in the woods. I was so traumatized that I no longer indulged in my favorite pastime of exploring without great fear. Years later, I decided it was time to broaden the size of my back porch. I drove to parks and other places of interests. Following my instincts and inner wisdom, not only did I feel safe, I found that each aspect of nature had a wonderful story to share.
Image by Author, Debbie Dunn
“Depart not from the path which fate has you assigned.”
- Chinese Fortune Cookie
As a child, I wandered alone and happy through woods and fields, exploring to my heart’s content. Then at age 11, fear was introduced to my innocent child’s heart. An eleven-year-old girl by the name of Betty Jean Necessary was tragically raped and murdered. This was perpetrated by a neighbor man as she took a short-cut home through the woods from her school bus stop. From then on, though I still made forays into the woods behind my parent’s house, I would startle and turn at every twig-snap. Though Betty Jean and I had never met and did not share the same woods, school, or neighbors, it seemed I was to be forever affected by her story. I did not want to share the same fate and die painfully at the hands of a stranger with malicious intent.
Years and many positive and negative adventures passed. These experiences included living in different parts of the USA and two failed marriages. I moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, in the spring of 1997. I found a safe little neighborhood on a dead-end road. Trees, birds, and squirrels filled my back yard. I spent many a happy hour sitting on my back porch, feeling totally safe and completely content.
In the spring of 1999, I realized that it was time for me to let go of my fears and to broaden the size of my back porch. Beginning on April 1, 1999, I drove to various parks and places of interest. Venturing alone into woods and parks, I let my instincts and inner wisdom guide me as to which paths would be best for me to follow. Sauntering slowly, I let my senses savor the beautiful bounty of nature.
As I walked, some plant or flower or other aspect of nature would strike me as being exceptionally beautiful. I would dig out my camera and take a picture. Then seating myself on the portable stool I toted, I would meditate, recording my thoughts in my notebook. I feel that each plant, each rock, each tree, each particle of soil holds energy and wisdom. I believe that everything we find in nature has a story to tell, if we only have the ears to hear and the heart to truly listen. This Blog will give voice to those words of wisdom.
With Love and Light, Debbie Dunn
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