Day 105

Friday 03 July

I’ve actually got so much to write about at the moment that I am creating drafts for the next few days.

A lovely off-shoot about writing this blog, is when you ‘bump’ into someone that has read a day or two and it provides an opportunity to ‘talk nature’. You start talking about the natural world generally but soon the conversation becomes more specific. Because anyone with an interest in nature usually has something particular that tickles them. But with some people, and I would have included myself here, it tends to be a little secret to keep to ourselves. Only when we come across someone else in the ‘secret society’ do we feel comfortable opening up.

I feel there are three types of people who have a passion for nature. Those who want to tell you no matter what. Those that are almost embarrassed to talk about their love because they feel others would not be interested. And then there are those that would prefer to keep it to themselves as a kind of protection, to separate themselves from the human world. All are wonderful, all are wise.

I spent a wonderful half-hour, towards the end of today, talking with a colleague at work. She has a beehive and has been keeping bees for a few years now. The smile on her face when talking to me and her passion for her hobby was infectious. She told me about rescuing swarms from neighbours gardens, and hibernating her colonies in the winter. Also about the regular stings she gets, and how there is nothing more painful than a bee-sting on the knee cap. (She’ll probably be reading this so I really hope I haven’t embarrassed her.)

When you have embraced what the natural world can offer, it truly enhances your life. We all know the good it can do to our mental and physical health. But if you can find that special interest, that one thing that sparks real joy, well, you feel kind of blessed. No wonder some people are reluctant to talk about it. It’s special, sacred almost, and you don’t want it to be tarnished by others knowing. So, you keep it hidden in a box, opening it only when someone with a big heart and an equally genuine love of nature comes by.

Strangers become friends when they share their particular, special love of nature with you. Birds, bees, trees, it doesn’t matter if you share the same interest. The point is they’re trusting you. They’ve given a bit of themselves away, opened themselves up. Made themselves vulnerable.