An award-winning photograph was taken by by German photographer Tobias Baumgaertner. It shows two penguins comforting each other as they look over the lights of a nearby Australian city.
Baumgaertner told BBC News that he spent three nights with the small penguins before he was able to get the shot. He was told that the older penguin on the right was widowed and so was the younger one. He was told that the pair was often seen seeming to “comfort” one another. It’s picture I often see in my mind’s eye when I think about loss and sadness.
Something as simple as an arm, or flipper in this case, around another being is so powerful. What does that flipper mean?
It means, “you are not alone.” I will be with you as you go through this journey. I will be by your side so you can cry on my shoulder, lean on me when you cannot stand on your own, and feel the warmth of my body to surround you in the cold, dark spaces.
It also means, “you are safe.” This is the place where you can just be yourself without any expectations from the world around you. You can cry. You can scream. You can be scared. You can shout. You can be mad. You can be all of those things on different days, at different times, or all at once. You will be protected to be yourself, no matter how you feel or how you want to express those feelings.
It means, “you are understood.” I will listen as you speak your truth without trying to solve your problems. I will acknowledge your feelings and your side of the story without judgment. I am there to soak in all that you want to say.
It means, “you are loved.” I love you so much that I am willing to spend time with you, even when that time may not be fun. I love you so much that I am willing to go with you through the pain and heartache. I love you so much that I want to be with you even when life is hard. I love you so much even when you are not at your best. I love you.
Nature can teach us so many lessons. One of the greatest lessons is love. And, when we are at our saddest, comfort can come in the silence as our loved ones wrap us up in their arms and hold us close. Those arms providing comfort, care, and love.
