Being

Traveling with Anima

One of the things that we have been able to experience more of since we are here in the Val d'Orcia and not so close to city life has been leisurely early morning walks. When we both do get up at the same time and it is early enough before going into town - we usually sit in bed and talk or  catch up on movies or email (me). But just as often we brush our teeth and put on a jacket and head out the door and start walking. An hour or 45 minutes sometimes a bit longer.  In all directions but without particular direction.

We are still and listen to the birds, the insects, the roosters and other nature sounds that we are not familiar with and then we let that lead us. Walking and exploring as I mentioned in another post for the Circolo delle Mamme Viaggiatrici on caminare is one of the most intimate ways to connect with your child. It takes time. You can't rush through it. And keeping a sense of awe and wonder is the practice.

All sensors are on early in the morning and the body wants to participate in the sights, sounds, smells and sensations. It becomes a wonder land.  Walking through forests, by the narrow roadsides and along the little pathways that lead to a ruin, small hamlet or floating fields of grain.

This morning we saw a deer jump out of the brush and run as fast as he could across one of the most iconic landscapes in Tuscany.

My camera is not the best and so I was not able to capture it but in a blurry fleeting moment - but all the same....Ani kept on saying...'I am taking mental photographs' so that I can remember '. I was so touched because I know that many years from now there will be a mental picture of this moment and hopefully she will remember and hold the closeness we shared this morning.