Lauren Achtemeier: "Little Moss, Big Meaning"

When I was walking on the Noland trail I was delighted to find an astounding patch of moss. Yes, moss. It was emerald green against the leaf litter, and I reached down and stroked it. It was life soft forest carpet, and much fresher than any household carpet since it was growing in a refreshing atmosphere. The chora of the surrounding woods caused me to have an I-thou relationship with the moss. It was because the energy of the woods allowed me to become attuned to the softness found in nature, and the calmness of this little patch of moss. It sloped gently to the edge of Lake Maury, and despite its minute size of only a centimeter or two, it had all the grace and presence as the trees looming overhead. It practically shouted at me as I walked by, as if to express it was more worthy of my attention than anything else. The little moss patch must have had Napoleon syndrome, because it caught my attention and worked magic in through an I-thou experience. I left respectful of the smallest life forms, since all creatures inhabit space on earth, and the quality of that space matters more than the quantity.