Blogging with Buns

It was a Saturday morning, and it started like the usual.

Morning coffee, snuggle with the kids on the couch, some breakfast, and off to the farmers market to pick up the week's worth of produce and eggs!

Little did we know, that we were about to bring home a furry little friend, that would shift our little family and our little home, into the next phase of our lives.

With a husband/Dad that works in British Columbia, and a mama and three babes that live back home in Saskatchewan, a pack of miles separates a happy and loving family - The Hayes'.

Mom has been a lover of all things houseplants and children, but when it comes to pets, a firm boundary has been drawn. Her favourite saying is "I could have ten kids and be fine, but one dog, and my home is no longer my home!" Somehow, years back, a cat - later given the very original name for a little girls pet - Elsa - found it's way into our life and our home, and since little Miss Linley get's what she wants (being the youngest and only girl of two older brothers), Elsa has remained. But she is smart, and respects Mom's home, and so it has worked.

But this...this was not a docile, independent cat. This was not another houseplant. No, what made it's way home with us on this particular morning was none other than a grey little cuddly, fresh, baby bunny.

Clover, we named her. Buns, we call her.

Buns reminded Mom to eat more greens. That it was missing link in her gut health journey and struggles.

She reminded the boys of the responsibility of chores. Getting your hands dirty and cleaning out an animal pen.

She reminded Linley of the responsibility of caring for something younger and more vulnerable than her.

Just like Elsa had a knowing not to touch mom's houseplants and not to shed or scratch Mom's furniture, Buns instantly fell into the flow of our home. Taking no more than three days to be fully litter trained. Sitting in silence with Mom on her meditation mat for 20 minutes without movement. Following Mom around the house when the babies are all off at school and activities, reminding Mom that she is never alone and always followed.

Mom always had a bunny growing up. It was a magical thing. Her and her Dad would travel to the Auction Mart on a Saturday morning and she would pick out a baby bunny to call her own. Dixie she would always name it. And Dixie would love her, and she would love Dixie. And Dixie helped her through some hard times on the farm. She would run across the lawn to her when she called her name. And over the years, if Dixie would pass, as sometimes farm animals do, then Dad and Nazie would travel once again to the Market, on a Saturday, and get Nazie a new Dixie.

So did it surprise Mom, Nazlyn, that a bunny had once again made it's way into her life? And once again aided in love, healing, reminders? No. Not in the least. It didn't even surprise her that it was her children, her guides, that led Buns once again into her life.

Buns has since inspired Mom and the kids to take a summer long trip to a beautiful mountain town in British Columbia where Dad is situated for work. She turned it into a blog titled "Bun's takes B.C.", and it has inspired the most amazing adventures, connections, family bonding, joy and creation within the Hayes family and even out into the community.

On two occasions, Buns decided to sneak out of her cage and take a journey around town. The first time leading mom to having a coffee with a neighbour in need. And the second time, leading mom on a beautiful journey of remembrance on the power of community and unity that situations of crisis can evoke.

A blog about a bunny, turned into an entire wellness blog, turned into a family website of conscious and connected content, turned into a successful at home business for mom and her three children. All because the kids begged mama to bring home a bunny from the market on a beautiful Saturday morning.

So she watches, as she sits at her office desk, writing her stories, her poems, her experiences. Filling her blog with words and wisdom and love and hope and faith. Sharing her struggles, her fears, and what she does to stay empowered. Launching her courses and planning her gatherings. She watches - as a little grey bunny hops about - reminding her of the simple joy. Reminding her of her Dad. Reminding her of the messages and guidance her children came to share with her. Reminding her that even though her husband is miles away, love surrounds her, eyes watch over her, and no matter what, even on the coldest or most challenging days, that we are never alone. And love and inspiration, whether it be in the form of a co-worker, a friend, or a furry little bunny, can always be found, if we have eyes that seek, ears that hear, and a heart that is willing to accept the abundance of love that can radiant from something as silent and small as a bunny.