Synchronicity is amazing, often making you shake your head in wonder at the timing and point-on accuracy of the encounter.
Yesterday at lunchtime we experienced one of those joyful synchronous jolts that mirrored our thoughts. Since home-sheltering has been lifted, Elliot and I began tackling a big gardening project. Three large stone flower beds, bordering the front walkway, laid vacant, with not so much as a plant, the view,-- a big void filled with dirty sand.
So the other night, I got busy with my hand shovel, digging buckets of sand out of the flowerbeds in preparation for the flowers.
The next morning, dainty yellow lantanas, gold-and-maroon faced flowery plants, and bright red pentas from the local nursery, had transformed that barren area into a beautiful spring garden.
At lunchtime, while admiring the new cheerful view from the sun-room, an idea came to me. Why not retrieve our garden statue from the old house? Timothy the large brown tortoise would be happy here, and serve as a reminder that the tortoise won the race. What happened next caught me by surprise. A large brown tortoise was heading in our direction, lumbering down the grassy stretch by the driveway!
Elliot laughed. "Looks like Timothy has come to us!"
What were the chances? The timing was funny, like the angels often orchestrate to help us lighten up.
Wasting no time, I ran out the backdoor, hoping to head the tortoise off at the pass.
But, when I got there, that big brown shelled traveler was no where in sight. I didn't know he could move so fast!
My eyes scanned the pasture next door, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Then, I heard it.
A slight rustling in the underbrush in a stand of trees near the other side of the fence.
The wind shifted the trees branches, and there he was. As big as a platter, hunkered down in a sandy hole in the shade. Resting from the hot Florida sun, he looked quite content to just be in the shelter of the trees. Softly, I congratulated him on his wise choice. Playfully, I then offered him an opportunity to come out. His photo would be featured in an international angel blog. But that lure to fanfare didn't move him one inch. Respecting his privacy, I said good-bye, letting him be at peace.
Late that afternoon, on our way to the car, I was curious if he was still there. The tortoise was hard to spot, unless you knew what you were looking for, as he blended in with the underbrush and trees.
But there he was, having dug himself a deeper hole. Florida has tortoises that can dig big deep holes, and burrow long tunnels underground. Their shovel-like front legs earn them the name gopher tortoises.
Our "down-the-tortoise-hole" encounter sent me digging for more information on our new neighbor who was digging his place as much as I was ours.
"When tortoise appears, we have usually been experiencing many changes and burdens, and although it may not seem so, its appearance now indicates that the dawn is slowly approaching. (An encouraging message for us all right now.) They remind us to carry on, moving and facing things steadily and slowly in our endeavors. Pressures are easing up now and progress will be slow but steady. Things are unfolding in the time and means that is best for you. Focus on the essentials and try not to force anything."
I was so thankful for the uplifting message. After all, the tortoise won the race with the hare. So take it slow and steady and you, too, will be victorious like the tortoise did under pressure to cross the finish line.
Enjoy your day with the Angels. What animals are crossing your path today? You may be in for quite a surprise.
Love and peace,
Rae Karen
(Ref. Animal-Speak, Ted Andrews)
(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
photo: Wikimedia Commons
