Ripples in the water.

Only a short time ago, we discovered the return of beavers to our pond, thus saving an entire ecosystem of animals from the summer dryness we long feared.

For what would become the third summer, our pond’s dam leaked from fine lines, like small hairline cracks in a bowl of water. Yet on that joyous evening, when ripples turned to bubbles, and a head emerged from the darkness, we knew they had come home.

What is a ripple? What impact can it have on an environment so small compared to the entire world?

What consequences bear themselves naked and vulnerable to those who see their arrival as unexpected? Is it without an impact that these movements be forgotten? Ignored? Perhaps neglected?

The life of every plant and animal of our Little Pond depends on seemingly insignificant, if not damaging and hated creatures. Varmints. Rodents. Destroyers.

How thoughtful, however, and significant are their lives? Gravely misunderstood, the meaning and greater purpose of these creatures benefit others beyond count and without clear measure. Never, ever, will they hear a ‘thank you.’

Thank you for your tireless work, night and day.

Thank you for risking all you hold dear to keep out world together.

Thank you for bearing life to our world.

As Henry David Thoreau once wrote,

“Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine-trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it.”

Nature teaches us how resilience works, how powerful the idea is of not giving up- not giving up on anything you believe in- can be the most influential quality anyone- man, woman, or animal- holds dear. We must have hope that we will discover those ripples we can make on our own as well as those yet to happen that signify a positive change.

In essence, our absence is as powerful as our presence. In these days of unrest and uncertainty, one truth holds strong- our love of one another withstands any hatred and darkness rendered. We shall not fail. We shall not fall. We shall not abandon what is right and just for all of earth’s dear beings. From me, to you, to everyone, let there be love.