Day 3 - The Myth of the Ordinary

Some stories begin in faraway lands. This part of mine began between two pine trees in the middle of a bushland reserve.

Today reveals the Myth of the Ordinary.
I’d love to introduce The Pine Sentinels — Blood Brothers.

Two Pine trees stand side by side, in a local park I’ve visited countless times over the twenty-plus years we’ve lived in the area.

They started as just two trees in the park the kidly-winks could run around and between, leaning against them when they’d run enough to catch their breath.

One day with my digital SLR—the right lighting, the right angle and the right stance behind the view finder—they became a gateway to a mystical and magical world filled with all kinds of things I could write about. Endless possibilities of stories waiting for me to see them.

Across time, the world revealed of itself each time I walked through the shimmering lightway between the pine trees, until it became a Realm — my Realm. The Pines became guardians of that Realm: trees with three holes close together needed a key to unlock a grove beyond; a fallen log was really a baby dragon; a vine that flowered in the morning sun and covered the top of a bush and spiraled itself up the nearest tree trunk became the rare Star-backed Camel.

The Pine Guardians then became Sentinels — for the sheer reason that they had witnessed so much of my life. I would talk to them as I passed between them. Say hi and perhaps mention something that was happening - be it happy or sad. In my talking to them, I listened as well.

In listening, whether it be when I’m near them or not, I discovered they are blood brothers— best friends, inseparable. They found themselves in the park and they stayed. It was in the decision to stay that their blood-brother bond formed.

Every time I walk between them now, I remember — the Realm isn’t somewhere I visit or go to. It’s what I see in any moment.