Grateful for Rabbits

"A Rabbit Noticed My Condition", by St John of the Cross

I was sad one day and went for a walk; I sat in a field.

A rabbit noticed my condition and came near.

It often does not take more than that to help at times - to just be close to creatures who are so full of knowing, so full of love that they don’t - chat, they just gaze with their marvelous understanding.

~ St. John of the Cross from Love Poems from God, translations by Daniel Ladinsky.

It is amusing to me that I am allergic to rabbits, and the only way I have survived this long in my life, is because of rabbits! I suppose there is a difference between furry rabbits and rabbits taking the form of people. I never knew that people who came along side of me through the darkest, loneliest, scariest times were rabbits!

The rabbits in my life taught me how to be a therapist, without me even knowing it! The most important lesson I learned, was to stop talking. I talk a lot, much less so than when I was younger, but still much more than is necessary, I’m sure. I don’t remember specific meaningful things that people in my life did or said when I was struggling, but I do remember feeling held.

It is an honor to sit with people through joys and sorrows alike. There is much less pressure to say the perfect thing, when the best thing I can do is to just sit quietly and be still. My sturdy presence may add some stability to the situation. Certainly more than fumbling words could ever!

I am so grateful for all the rabbits in my life who showed me love and compassion with their presence. They helped me grow roots so I can steady myself when the winds of life blow mercilessly and modeled how to listen. Just listen. Listen to others, but perhaps most importantly, in the quiet space created between myself and the rabbit, I also learned to listen to myself. (Or I am at least working on that!)