I had the chance to go to a mindfulness retreat in May. It was at a lovely retreat center with a brook and ponds and woods and wonderful massage chairs. As our group wandered many were enchanted by the two swans in the pond. I could see that people were taking photos and when I got close enough they were telling me about these wonderful, majestic swans that sat so still in the pond. I must agree it was magic, us laughing and talking so closely and yet they floated quietly still in the pond. Upon closer inspection, these were plastic swans anchored in the pond to deter other birds from feasting on the fish. The fact came to light several hours later. We were taking pictures of plastic swans. I love remembering the complete joy we all found in gazing at the pond swans. Was that joy lessened because they were not real, maybe a little, but it was replaced by laughter and now a great story to recall as a group. Makes me think about all those encounters in our life that we remember, the ones that took our breath away in laughter or in tears, were they all real, does it matter? All the things we look at in our lifetime leaves a mark, it’s up to us what kind of memory we hold on. Real or fake, I will always remember the wonder of the majestic swans on a May day in Orono with friends. Enjoy what you can see, what you love, plastic or real, if it brings a smile remember it.
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