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Dawn's NotesFinding Your Clover - The Story Of Little Bear During our trip this past summer one of my goals was to see a bear—a black bear, brown bear, any kind of bear. While traveling through British Columbia, Canada, after passing through Ft. Nelson, we did, to our delight, see a bear! The bear was not very large, but his black fur shone in the bright sunlight, literally glistening against a backdrop of spring-green grass intermingled with lush patches of yellow clover beside the highway. What a sight! My husband Tom pulled the car over, and we soon had our cameras out of their cases. We wanted to capture the beautiful site in pictures, enduring proof that we really did see a bear! People in other cars stopped to soak in the view. Camera shutters were clicking. At first, the little black bear stood as he munched the green grass and clover. Bite, bite, munch, munch. Bite, bite, munch, munch. After a bit, the bear seemed to tire from standing up. We continued to watch Little Bear as he then sat down on his bottom and continued to eat the juicy grass and clover, bobbing his head down to the ground for each new bite. Bite, bite, munch, munch. Bite, bite, munch, munch. More cars joined the line-up of cars, but the bear seemed oblivious to our presence. He did not even notice his spectators. He was enjoying life! Then Little Bear laid down in the grass, paws in front of him, tummy on the ground, and continued his breakfast of grass and clover from a closer vantage point. Bite, bite, munch, munch. He had found his clover, wonderful delicious clover. He still paid no attention to his spectators gawking at him. He had found his clover patch—life was good. Little Bear was content. After some minutes, we reluctantly left the sight to travel onward toward Alaska, our final destination on the trip. When we left, Little Bear was still flat-down in The lesson from Little Bear hit me! He had found a place in the sun, and nothing seemed to be worrying him on that sunny morning. He truly had found a place of peace, of enjoyment, irregardless of an audience gazing at him. Yes, life was simple, but good. Ahh, contentment. In our lives, we may find ourselves chasing "the illusive dream" as we travel toward our final destination. We may search for contentment and happiness in relationships, in jobs, and in the acquisition of "things" as we travel along the Road of Life. We may search for money, prestige, fortune or fame—search for something to fill the voids or holes in our lives. Sometimes we forget about our Creator and the very simple things in life that can bring us real contentment—a new friend, a walk on a cool day, the smile of grandchild. Wild flowers growing by the road may take on a new wonder if you take the time to look at the delicacy of their design. How about the song of a mockingbird, holding hands with someone you love, spending time with family? It only costs a little time to pause, to enjoy life along the way—to take in life slowly—bite, bite, munch, munch. Contentment! If you have experienced the loss of a loved one, the “hole” in your heart may seem like a cavern. You may long for the life that you used to have with the one you loved, and your heart may ache, almost physically. If your heart is hurting, you may be challenged in finding your new “patch of clover.” Your “clover patch” may be in a different location or you may find red clover in place of the yellow clover you used to have. Even though your clover patch may change, life must go on as you move on to a new and different contentment. If you take the time to look, you may find your clover patch right under your nose! Then again, you may have to search a little! Just remember Little Bear in his clover patch! I wish you well in finding your place of contentment, your peace, your patch of clover. Call about the next "Living Life after Loss" Group at: Dawn Phelps, RN/LMSW, Group Facilitator |
