Dear The Woods at Pacem in Terris Hermitage,
Thank you for welcoming me into your palace of greenery, where I lived as a hermit for four short days. Thank you for whispering words of greeting in the breeze through the oak leaves. Thank you for fresh air with the hint of campfire that I breathed so deeply each day, along with all the creatures who live in your palace.
I met the twitching chipmunk who dug in the leaves and darted away so quickly I could not see which direction he went. I met an otter who was swimming underneath the boardwalk to proudly bring home tall grass for his family. (And I’m sorry I scared him with my giggle, but he was so adorable I couldn’t stop myself.) I met a gray squirrel who would win any and every dance contest that involved standing still the longest, frozen in position. He looked stuffed, but I’m glad he wasn’t. I encountered deer who looked long and hard at me and then agreed to move off the walking trail and let me by, only when I disappointed them with the news I had nothing to give them. (I did assure them “Bambi” is one of my top five favorite movies.)
Thank you, The Woods, for welcoming me as a guest in your palace. And thank you, The Woods, for sharing the same Creator, and sharing the same need for one another.
Yours Truly,
Hermit in Cabin #3
Lisa Lewton 