Bunnies and Wonder

Last Wednesday we returned from a short vacation and saw a wild bunny in our backyard through the kitchen window. This may not seem that extraordinary, but to me it was pretty exciting! We have been at this home for 7 years now, developing and maintaining our garden as a wildlife sanctuary, but this is the very first rabbit that has visited. He (or she) is a young bunny, and appears to be alone. He spends time under the giant blooming gardenia bush which is great shelter and I saw him nibbling on native geraniums and native St. John's Wort. I have not tried actively communicating with him yet, will probably do so soon, but I was a bit distracted by how utterly adorably this bunny is. I've seen him most mornings and he seems fine with being photographed from a short distance.
 
Even though I love all animals and believe they are all beautiful, I am not immune to cuteness. Bunnies are objectively ridiculously cute and I think this is evident by how often they appear in art & illustrations for children's (& adult) decor and books. Even the name sounds sweet. Rabbits also have symbolic associations with the faerie (elemental) realm. The times they are most active are dusk and dawn, which are considered "in-between" times and all "in-betweens" are doorways to the fae realms. The most popular example of this is "Alice in Wonderland" where Alice follows a rabbit and has great adventures.
 
Apart from the magical symbolism of rabbits and their beauty, I rejoiced at seeing one because the larger variety of wild animals indicates a more diverse eco system which is healthier since we are all interconnected. Neighbors have reported seeing foxes and more wild rabbits lately too. I am so grateful that we don't use poisonous herbicides or pesticides because I know our greens are safe for the bunny and everyone else to eat.
 
I am thankful because sometimes something as simple as a beautiful bunny sitting under a flowering bush at twilight fills me with such an immense sense of wonder. The feeling I got from discovering this bunny visiting (& possibly moving in) was magical in itself. I believe that for me that feeling of wonder is essential to continuing to see the beauty in life and taking a true breather from problems going on in the world. Wonder creates balance and makes our hearts stronger. Adults need wonder as much as kids do (if not more!) It's not only bunnies, I feel this when I see a lovely alien-looking praying mantis guarding our front door, when slugs move their adorable antennae, when mice hold food in their tiny paws, when ferns unfurl or when a seedling grows and blooms for the first time. I could list 100's of examples and sometimes when I am sad I like to make lists of all the "everyday" beings who gift me with wonder simply by sharing our garden.