A Few Bright Stars and a Lily | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: Please join me in welcoming Author Michele Rhem, who presents us with her poignant memoirs of the Rabbit Patch, where her diaries weave tales of a simpler, expressive life lost to many, but gathered together in her most familiar environs - the Rabbit Patch.

    I made the "early service" this morning. I saw for myself, the birth of the day. It was nothing short of grand . . . and it never fails to stir my heart. For me, the sunrise is a holy time. I feel like I have been to "the Church in the Wildwood", as I sang of in my youth, when I see the first light of day.

    When my grandmother lived here, she would laugh when I walked in, from attending the "morning service. I would come in the kitchen saying things like "I am going to wash the curtains, and paint a garden bench, then I will make a cake . ." and on and on I would go, as I was just so full of hope for the day. I have not changed much, since my grandmother passed. I still have my lofty notions, in the early morning. . .and today is no exception.

    After the Early Service

    My friend, of almost thirty years, Janet was hosting a gathering this morning. We listened to a presenter talk about essential oils. Another dear friend, Rae went too. I have known Rae as long as I have Janet, and so for me, it was an especially happy occasion. I met two ladies, that read the Rabbitpatch Diary- their names were Judy and Jenny, a delightful mother and daughter. They hugged me and about made me cry. It was "the icing on my cake". After the presentation, we had conversations about living simply and ways to be kind to the earth, as we traipse about in our lives. It was all quite interesting - and appealing to me. The earth is everybodys' mother, after all.

    I am not sure if it was the energizing peppermint oil or "keeping good company", but I came home and started mowing . There was a cool breeze blowing , so much that a few yellow and sometimes red, leaves came unfastened from the trees in the young woods. Also in the air, were butterflies. They seem to love the loosestrife, that is blooming. I saw the first blooms of the ageratum, also known as "floss flower" . If fairies grew flowers, it would be the periwinkle ageratum. The stalwart phlox blooms now -and will til frost. . .and the lantanas are full of little multi colored clusters. They may be my favorite. One single ginger lily has opened and others are promising to follow suit. My affection for the fragrant lily is unwavering after a decade, now. Beauty berry is claiming a fair share of the woodland. Not one rabbit should go to bed hungry because of that. They can also eat fallen grapes, as this year the vines are full. The hours passed sweetly as no matter the direction, I glanced, there was something beautiful to behold. . .some picture to tuck in my heart, for a cold night in January.

    Tomorrow, for the first time in a while, I am having Sunday dinner. I have a pork roast thawing now and plan to have stringbeans and potato salad. I will fry cornbread as thin as I can make it, and Mama is bringing an apple pie. Just the prospect of it, makes my heart well up in gratitude. Few things in life are more satisfying for me, than loved ones gathered around a table, sharing a bountiful meal.

    When late evening fell, I went out, as usual, to say good night. The air was very cool. There were a good many stars out, but you couldn't see a million. The stars that were out, looked as big as I have ever seen them. The big dipper was right over the barn and the dog stars were over a pine. The pines whispered softly in the breeze and I thought from start to finish, this day had been generous. I lingered longer than usual, listening to the serenade of the wind and trees , and gazing at the masterpiece above me, while the lone ginger lily lent its' fragrance in the air. I felt like Love was coming at me and through me, from every direction . . and it was beautiful.

    Dear Diary, I am glad for woodland flowers and berries . I am glad for friends, old and new. I am glad when the air is full of butterflies and fragrance. I am glad for the whispering pine trees and stars that shine boldly. . .and I am glad to know that a single lily and a few bright stars can change the world.