As a kid growing up in Appalachia, the woods (nature) were like a second home. Traipsing up and down hollows, ridges, being in the woods was as natural, well as nature.
I was around 8 or 9 year of age walking down a mountain road from my uncle’s house when about 50 or so yards ahead of me I saw this animal. It wasn’t a dog as its head was very narrow, long and sleek. It had a long bushy tail. It was way too big to be a cat.
I ran home and tried to describe what I saw to my parents and friends. My parents seemed to hold against me that a few years before (when I was 5) I explained how I had seen a 6 foot tall white rabbit (I thought it was the Easter Bunny – my parents thought I was influenced by Jimmy Stewart) and viewed my “sighting” with some skepticism.
The years passed by with no solution to the question that would rattle around my brain from time to time– what did I see that day? Did I actually see it or was it my imagination?
A couple of weeks back, I read that Vermont was celebrating the 50th anniversary of the re-stocking of wild turkey. In exchange for this favor, Vermont had sent 25 animals that were native also to West Virginia but were all but gone – 25 Martens!
I looked at the picture – that was it – the animal I saw some 50 years ago – it was a Marten! I shared with my mom – see – I wasn’t crazy!!
Our lives are about the stories and interactions we have with nature, with family, friends and folks who will become our friends.
We all pray that the situation we are going through with Coronavirus will improve and that loved ones at risk will be spared.
This pause in our normal lives serves to remind us that normal lives and living each day is truly a gift. No matter how simple or bizarre our walk through life is.
That a simple walk in the woods can create a puzzle to stimulate our mind for 50 years.
Here’s hoping that we get back to our normal, boring lives pretty soon.
– Leton
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“Letters From Leton” is a blog series comprised of the weekly updates that Leton Harding – President, Chairman, and CEO of Powell Valley National Bank, shares with the Bank’s team members. These newsletters are full of uplifting anecdotes and intriguing insights that are applicable beyond the Bank, so we want to share them with you.
