In 2010, in the depths of my journey of recovery from Attachment Disorder, a friend passed on a story to me.
When an elephant is wounded, it can't stand alone by itself and will fall and die -- and sensing this, two other elephants come along side of it and physically hold it up.
These miraculous creatures have so much to tell us about how to love each other, for we too die without human support in the flesh, "with skin on" as John Townsend says.
Humanity's Team posted this photo with the story behind it underneath, captioned "The Elephants Knew" at:
"THE ELEPHANTS' JOURNEY TO PAY RESPECT, BUT HOW DID THEY KNOW?
"Lawrence Anthony, a legend in South Africa and author of 3 books including the bestseller, The Elephant Whisperer. He bravely rescued wildlife and rehabilitated elephants all over the globe from human atrocities, including the courageous rescue of Baghdad Zoo animals during US invasion in 2003.
"On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died. He is remembered and missed by his wife, 2 sons, 2 grandsons, and numerous elephants. Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home led by two large matriarchs. Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say goodbye to their beloved 'man-friend'. A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 12 miles to get to his South African house.
"Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not only because of the supreme intelligence and precise timing that these elephants sensed about Lawrence's passing, but also because of the profound memory and emotion the beloved animals evoked in such an organized way: Walking slowly, for days, making their way in a solemn one-by-one queue from their habitat to his house. Lawrence 's wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the elephants had not been to his house prior to that day for well over 3 years! But yet they knew where they were going. The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects, honoring their friend who'd saved their lives - so much respect that they stayed for 2 days 2 nights without eating anything. Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back home.
"SOMETHING IN THE UNIVERSE IS GREATER AND DEEPER THAN HUMAN INTELLIGENCE. IN GOD WE TRUST."
And if that disturbs you, then ask yourself: Do I feel really loved inside? How is my emotional object constancy doing these days?
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