Letter from Jenny

The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dear Springhouse community,

This morning, as I sit by three lit candles looking out over the rolling hills on this misty day, I am thinking of a walk I took in the woods back in the fall. My mom had told me that the acorns would be plentiful—I forget why—but she was right. The acorns were everywhere. Anyone who knows me knows I like to collect acorns. I have kept them on my altar table at home, and at one time they were scattered around my office for some time. I even have a little stick figure holding a feather, made with an acorn by Springhouse staff member Juan Pablo. I love the unique shape of an acorn, and I love pondering their potential as I look at them. An oak tree is possible from a little sturdy seed that looks like it’s wearing a hat.

This past autumn, I walked the bumpy path down to the river on our farm and gathered acorns. I picked each one up, looked at it from top to bottom, and put it in my pocket. As my pockets were getting full, I bent down to pick up one of the last ones of the day, and it didn’t come right up. I tugged a little, and it still wouldn’t let loose. I got down on my knees to see what was happening, and saw that this little acorn had sprouted—a small green shoot had made its way confidently into the Earth. It’s rare that I come across a rooted acorn. It felt like an awesome moment. A thousand forests are in one acorn, Emerson says. Grand changes begin with one small action, held in place over time...