What Greater Gift?
Mike, another volunteer had some concerns regarding two female wolves he cared for. Even though he was their caretaker for over a year he could still not approach or touch the wolves and felt that they didn’t like him. These wolves could not survive in the wild as they had been raised by humans who relinquished them to the park. Now they lived in as natural habitat as possible with large oak trees, huge boulders, and warm safe houses.
Mike mentioned that he knew the wolves liked wild game such as buffalo or venison better than ground hamburger by the way they ate their food. He also shared that he would sit in a chair in their pens so the wolves could be used to him just being there. One morning when Mike arrived he noticed three holes dug into the ground near the front fence under a large oak tree. Two of the holes were the shape and size of the wolves and the third was the same as Mike’s chair. They had dug a cool place to lay for themselves and Mike. Absolutely, they were letting him know he had been accepted.
We watched and listened to Mike as he worked around the wolves. His voice was soft and melodic, his movements fluid and even. I felt a heart connection to the wolves and knew that they understood Mike would not harm them. They also felt completely comfortable with him in their habitat even though they were pacing back and forth and staying out of arms reach. When I asked about their actions they communicated that through centuries of being in the wild and caring for their young this type of behavior was normal and natural for them. Being leery was a part of their nature and not a reflection of how they felt about Mike. The minute I explained this to Mike he was very relieved and felt a deeper appreciation of the wolves.
These two stories made me think of how we can chose to view the events that happen to ourselves and those in the world, which are often made through the filters of our own inner suffering. We could look at Erwin’s accident as tragic and wrap a lot of sadness around it. We could judge the people that originally raised the wolves and abandoned them to the park. Or we could choose to see that all events have a reason and from the words of Erwin are in their perfect place. During this holiday season finding gratitude in the smallest of things, like a hole dug out of caring by a wolf or the giving of one’s self to a wounded human can change our entire outlook of our world. Sensing the profound connection and miracles in life, can there be a greater gift?
