Every place has a special time of year when Nature unveils Her finest.  Cherry Blossoms in Japan or Washington, D.C. might be some of the first images that come to mind.  I think of early spring in Sacramento, California when profuse displays of camellias and gaudy color-clashing azaleas grace the community.
Upcountry Maui offers a spectacular experience in May and June as hundreds of jacaranda trees come into full purple bloom.  The trunks of the wide-branching trees are deepened in color due to frequent showers and the flowers’ purple is enhanced in the diffused light of clouds.
A few days ago, after a walk in the woods with a friend, we decided to drive to her home via a route that would give us some of the best postcard views of the jacarandas in full glory:  the Upper Kula highway.  “Aren’t the jacarandas gorgeous this year?” we remarked to each other. “Yes, just gorgeous!” we agreed, almost breathless.

I dropped off my friend and continued home, passing more of the blooming beauties, thinking I might want to photograph them and send images to mainland family and friends.

Next day, I was pretty tired after working out, but as I was driving back home, I felt this overwhelming urge: Go up to the jacarandas–RIGHT NOW!   It was lightly raining, but I did have a camera with me. . . hesitating for a moment, I heeded the urgent ‘message’.

Curious as to what I would find, I slowly drove the up the winding Highway, enjoying the vast views of open ranch land and rolling green hills covered with mist that hid Haleakalaā’s peak. Loosened by the rain, thousands of flowers carpeted the ground underneath the many trees I passed.

Finally, I came around the bend where I had planned to take photos, and pulled to the side of the country road.  There, under the splendor of a jacaranda tree, was a beautiful young couple.  As in a fairy tale, she was in her bridal gown, posing for her groom.

Was this not a miracle?

This is a story of Grace.  The Grace given to me and my husband to see the beauty of love and it’s healing qualities in all forms.

Our family (my husband, myself and our 85 lb. Labrador Sheppard mix, Fresco) joined a Pet Therapy group at our local hospital.  We were encouraged by a neighbor who recognized our dog’s gentle manner as a perfect fit for the program.    We instantly loved being a part of this important work and landed on visiting the Children’s ward as Fresco was so well received by the kids.

Our usual routine was to check in with the nurses station prior to “making the rounds” to learn of any special requests or rooms to avoid (these were children too sick to receive a visit from a furry friend).  One evening we learned of a three year-old boy that had been mauled by a pit bull.  We were familiar with the case from the local news.  That evening, we made special care to avoid the boy’s room or even going within eye’s distance as the nurses were concerned with the boy’s reaction of seeing dog after such a tragic event.

On our next scheduled visit, two weeks later, we again checked in with the nurses.  This time the nurse looked at us, and then at Fresco and said “let’s try something”.  I’m not sure what she was thinking because we never discussed it with her, but my sense was that her intuition was telling her something.  My mother was a nurse and I learned that nurses have special intuition when it comes to healing.  She led us to the play room where the three year old boy was playing.  She stopped us just outside the door and asked us to wait.  A few minutes later, she returned with the boy by her side.  She told him he had a special visitor.

At the first sight of the boy, my husband and I were shocked.  This little toddler had well over 50 stitches on his shaved head.  In that instant, not sure how the boy was going to react, we held our breath.  And then, with the joy and innocence only children possess, he grinned from ear to ear at Fresco.  All the time Fresco had been sitting and sat completely still as the toddler waddled towards him.  When the boy arrived, he flung is little arms around Fresco’s neck.  We were relieved that the little boy had seemed to forget the trauma he had endured just a short time ago.

Then, the beauty of love and healing happened just before our eyes, Fresco gently and so carefully began to lick the boys head.  It was as if each deliberate movement was an act of healing, of love and forgiveness.  In that moment, I thanked God for the miracle we were witnessing.

We continued visiting the hospital for years after this experience and our interactions with the hospital children were wonderful and meaningful.  In retrospect, I often feel as though my husband and I were only there to provide transportation for Fresco.  And that all the healing work was being done by him.  We were mere witnesses.

This gift of being witnesses to so many miracles and healings has been one of the greatest gifts from God.  We are grateful for the Grace bestowed to us through our loving family member, Fresco.

Ellen–Big Island, Hawaii

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