One day, about 3 years ago, I got a call from a lady named Lisa. She told me she was with the New England Aquarium. Lisa was looking for a house on the island where I lived, that was furnished, could hold 6 people and was available for one month in the summer. She was part of a team of scientist coming to Cape Sable Island, and they were using this location as a base to continue their work with Right Whales, the rarest whales in the world.
Lisa told me this team had visited the island about 20 years ago as part of their research. I asked where they had stayed at that time - that might be a place to start looking. She informed me they didn't have any place to stay 20 years ago and had to stay aboard their boat. I knew that 6 people, living for one month on a boat, without showers and facilities, would not be a good situation and they were staying into September with the possibility of some pretty cold nights.
I agreed right away that I would try to help but told her it would be extremely difficult to find accommodations for that number of people. Even trying to find a regular rental property could be difficult, let alone the additional requirements of completely furnished and all the extras like dishes and utensils that they would need.
I made some inquiries and was coming up empty handed. When I was running out of possibilities I thought to myself "the only way you are going to be able to help her is to give her your house" and right behind that thought was one that was a sarcastic "Right". Then I thought why not, after some discussions and reassurances on their part that things would be looked after I agreed. People told me that I was crazy, I had such a wonderful house, in such good condition and what would I find when I returned. I didn't listen to the critics and kept my word.
I made arrangements to go to my mother's cottage in the woods. I did hit the panic button just before I had to leave. I had never been away from the ocean for that long. I loved the ocean, it was my life line. How would I manage? Maybe I could stow away in my bedroom. Would that work?
It was time to go and I went hesitantly. What a wonderful surprise awaited me. Lisa and her crew were the catalyst for one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. I loved the quiet, the absolute solitude, the woods, nature and communion with the natural.
The crew from the New England Aquarium gave me one of the best gifts in my life and it come about all because I was willing to give. When you give - you get. Let your giving come from your heart and it will touch your heart in ways that are wondrous.
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