When Leaves Cover the Rabbit Patch | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: Please join me in welcoming Author Michele Rhem, who presents us with her poignant memoirs of the Rabbit Patch, where her diaries weave tales of a simpler, expressive life lost to many, but gathered together in her most familiar environs - the Rabbit Patch.

    As usual, I woke early, this morning. It was dark and rain was falling. I had the window up, as it has been so mild. How good it felt to lie there, without a bit of hurry, and just listen to wind and rain sweeping across the territory. Cash, my boxer and my cat, Christopher Robin were snuggled together . What a cozy effect it made and it felt wonderful to be part of it. The wind was steady blowing and I imagined the leaves were coming unfastened in great numbers. I had to smile at the irony, as I had just cleaned the yard yesterday.

    While the room was still dimly lit, I got up . I am ready for coffee as soon as I wake and besides that, am just not prone to stay in bed for long. When it was light enough to survey the conditions, I saw leaves being flung wildly, in the wind. Many had met their destiny and were scattered all over the rabbit patch.

    The wind blew all day, though the rain stopped before noon. I did some light housekeeping and eventually went on a short shopping spree. It was a spur of the moment idea, but as it turns out, I found a special gift for Lyla. Jenny is a very sensible mother and does not want Lyla over indulged in possessions, therefore I take the utmost care to adhere to this. I am in full agreement with Jenny and so glad she takes this stance. Having said this, I am still so very excited to share Christmas with Lyla this year.

    Monday

    Monday comes, and that changes everything. I always say . . for it really does. It was cold this morning. There was a heavy frost and I regretted not warming the car, almost immediately. The sun came up announcing the morning boldly with brilliant rays. For a short while, the woodlands looked aflame while the frost sparkled. It was a lovely affair. It looks and feels like Thanksgiving, I thought.

    Holidays evoke feelings for me, more than anything else. Each holiday seems to have a particular nature . At Thanksgiving, of course we are grateful. We tend to reflect on all we are glad for. Traditions are born by way of things like Thanksgiving- and become rituals with years of practice. My sister, Delores, brought a broccoli casserole to Thanksgiving dinner, decades ago. Daddy was not fond of it, though the rest of us were. She brought it for several years and then without warning skipped a year. Daddy, along with the rest of us, asked as we surveyed the table, where it was. He seemed disappointed. She has not skipped a year since. I am not fond of cranberry sauce, but I do expect it to be on the table. Tres, my second son, loved to break the wishbone with Mama when he was very young. Though Tres, towers over the most of us now, he still breaks the wishbone with Mama, every year, at Thanksgiving.

    With all the steady and dramatic changes in the world to endure, I have come to take great comfort in familiar things. This may be one of the reasons, I love fields and woods . . .and laughing rivers. These things are constant and do not yield to whims.

    Today, as I drove past the woodlands, I couldn't help but notice the striking colors of the maples and dogwoods. It was like seeing an autumn rainbow. Then I noticed the pines. They were the only green in the forest and seemed quite insignificant- yet the pine is an evergreen, and will remain as it is now, even in January. There is something beautiful about that, I think. Birds that stay through the winter, can depend on the pine . . .and so can I.

    In spite of my affection for things that remain reliable, I am glad for the progress of mankind. The many conveniences of modern times, certainly lend ease to life-and then too, there are the discoveries that save lives or improve our health. Last but not least, the wealth of knowledge, we can accumulate is a most valued asset.

    Truly, there is much to be thankful for and certainly, not only on Thanksgiving. I will count the blessings of a table of gathered loved ones-and laden with food. We will eat in a fine shelter, in good health. Yet, I will not forget to be glad for things like pines and fields . . and wishbones . . .and also the time when leaves cover the rabbit patch.