Love the Size of a Horse Chestnut

One of the many powerful healing tools I learned while engaging in the CHRIST Program from Hope’s Garden was
how to create a self-soothing basket. Laura suggests that within this basket, we collect items that help regulate
our nervous system and bring us back to our balanced, Christ-centered mind. Included in this basket are tools to
engage all our sensory needs., For example, we can include essential oils or scented candles for the sense of
smell, tactile items such as Aaron’s Thinking Putty for touch, calming green tea mints for taste, along with
sacred items such as our favorite rosary. We can also include our innermost treasures, those items that hold deep
personal meaning to us.

Within my self-soothing basket is a solitary, innocent-looking horse chestnut. To all outward appearances it’s
nothing more than that: a plain, ordinary horse chestnut. But to me, it’s a sacred object.

It’s easy to feel unloved—and unlovable—when struggling through an abusive relationship. Victims are often
told outright that that they’re unlovable, or the attack can come in different words but with the same meaning.
Verbal abuse—phrases such as “you’re stupid,” “you’re ugly,” “you’re selfish/cold/mean” etc.—are all ways of
being told we’re not cherished by our partner.

That’s why—for the sake of our mental health and emotional well-being—a group of understanding, supportive
loved ones is so crucial. There’s a reason the LORD God declares in Genesis 2:18, “it is not good that man
should be alone.” He created us as social beings, living in a social world. Isolation is detrimental to health and
healing.

And that’s where my horse chestnut comes in.

This precious object was given to me by my daughter, as a token of her love and thoughtfulness.
One colorful autumn day in Maine, my daughter decided to embark upon a morning stroll (otherwise known as
a “morning constitutional” to us New England—or England—folks). Along the way, as she strolled past the
harbor and enjoyed the wheeling call of sea gulls, my daughter came across a delightful horse chestnut tree.
This tree was in its generous season, dropping its fruits for all who may pass by, and she knew a single nut
would bring me immense joy, since I’ve always loved the smooth, gentle hardness of horse chestnuts. Scooping
it up, she carried it back home and lovingly presented it to me.

I’d been having a rough time. She knew the details—she was a young adult, and she’d already witnessed too
much in her lifetime. She wanted to bring me comfort and joy. And she did.

Immense comfort. Tremendous joy. In one little horse chestnut.

Now, during times of stress or anxiety, sorrow or despondency, I hold that little nut in my hand. It represents
love, and a sense of comfort returns each time I see it in my basket or enclose it in my palm. It represents my
daughter’s devotion and, on a wider level, divine Love.

“He showed me a little thing the size of a hazelnut, in the palm of my hand, and it was as round as a ball. I
looked at it with my mind’s eye and I thought, ‘What can this be?’ And the answer came, ‘It is all that is
made.’ I marveled that it could last, for I thought it might have crumbled to nothing, it was so small. And the
answer came into my mind, ‘It lasts and ever shall because God loves it.’ And all things have being through
the love of God.” (Julian of Norwich)

Knowing we’re loved in the midst of trauma can be the lifeboat taking us away from the chaos of emotional and
mental turmoil, the shackles of the trauma bond, and the insecurity of contemplating whatever the future may
hold. The authentic love of others is a gift from God, and when we begin to emerge from the fog and ask our
Divine Bridegroom for the grace to see His love at work in the world, our vision truly does begin to clear. A
kind word from someone at the grocery store, a hug from a neighbor, a squeeze on the shoulder from a
supportive friend, empathy from family members. All these are kisses from the Bridegroom.
And, above all, Jesus is always eager for us to feel His immense love for us: His love, His never-ending
protection, His intimacy.

We are loved. All of us. It’s so important to remind ourselves of that, often and throughout the day. “Let
yourself be loved!” St. Elizabeth of the Trinity once wrote.

“Let yourself be loved! The soul cannot live without love because love is the stuff she’s made of, and through
love God has created her.” (St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and St. Catherine of Siena)