Prayer hands

They are so little! Nursery children bundled up in brightly coloured scarves, hats and gloves. It’s February and we are out for a nature walk.

I show them buds and explain that out of that tiny bud will appear a flower, leaf or shoot. Their mouths drop open; as if I am showing them a magic trick.

We make a shape like a cone with our hands in front of our chests, the shape of a bud. They start looking for buds and soon start seeing them everywhere. ‘Bud! Bud! Bud!’ come the excited shouts.

They run towards plants and trees, their hands still raised, finger tips touching as if in prayer. And I think yes, nature is certainly sacred to me.