It’s been a wedding week (and the-some) of joy! As I reluctantly come up for air, I’m offering this week’s post as both a Spiritual Journey reflection on the theme of “Pause” –offered and hosted by Carol Varsalona AND for Poetry Friday, hosted this week by Molly Hogan at Nix the Comfort Zone
“faith is an experience that is palpable among trees”
Earlier this summer, I made a forest walk, guided by Kimberly Ruffin a certified nature and forest therapy guide, via this podcast from Emergence Magazine. Moments stitched together –of presence, motion, witness, water, sky, faith, and gratitude– it was a gift to me, this time to pause.
Four days ago, a forest cathedral filled with family and friends wrapped itself around Scott and Laura to celebrate their marriage.
Still reveling in the joy, my pup and I headed out for a forest walk.
pause
the guests have gone home to their mondays
the yarrow and coneflowers exhale, a forest rests
not yet ready to take its leave of summer, this morning
I pause, offering my gift of stillness and presence
to this forest that has held us
for 26 years
photo courtesy of K. Collins
poem ©2024, Patricia J. Franz
Never before have I experienced such an exchange of belonging – belonging to this community that breathes life into our world, inhaling and holding this other-than-human life in the marrow of my bones.
This much I know is true: my faith lies in the steadfast love of a Creator who gifted us to one another.
Today, standing beneath a canopy of blue and green, I give thanks.
Patricia Franz writes picture books and poetry. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
Oh, I love a forest wedding! And the forest that’s held you for 26 years… so lovely. xo
Joy, love, family, nature, belonging – your post is filled with gratitude, Patricia. And I am grateful for you.
So much to be grateful for in your post, Patricia, such as nature, family. “The guests have gone home to their Mondays,” still I’m sure they were changed by the weekend. Congratulations to you and your family.
What a beautiful pause and tribute to a forest cathedral! Congratulations to the beautiful couple.
Those last two lines–swoon. So much connection and love here. Thank you, Patricia!
Patricia, so lovely. Standing “beneath a canopy of blue and green” seems like a perfect place to give thanks. Your whole post causes me to be more grateful and to stop and breathe deeply. “this forest that has held us” is so rich.
Patricia, thank you for a beautiful Pause as we travel home from our beach vacation with our children and their children and our extended family. Your post presented such a lovely gift of stillness. The photo of the bride and groom brings back the smiles I have witnessed through my life. You have not only shared the presence of the forest cathedral but the presence of love. May you and your family enjoy the fruits of nature.
Patricia, you have chosen the perfect place to pause. The stillness of the forest. The sun shining through a canopy of trees its rays falling on a growing love. The gathering of family and friends to celebrate a joyous union. After the excitement of the wedding, a pause to reflect and give thanks to He who blessed this gift.
I like the circularity in your poem of the forest and you giving and receiving from each other. All the best to the newly married couple (what an enchanting place to get married) and your family Patricia, thanks for all!
What a forest! What a gift!
Your poem is filled with such glorious language and such a strong sense of presence. I absolutely love those first two lines. Congratulations on the joy-filled wedding and for all being held in the arms of a forest and for recognizing the incalculable value of that.
Patricia, what a joy to see your child married in the forest that is also your home. So lovely! Congrats to all and thanks for your beautiful poem.