Less than twenty years. That is all it took for three score and ten
wolves to impact the vast landscape of Yellowstone. The trophic cascade that took place when wolves were reintroduced to the national park had significant ripple
effects not only to the animal populations but to the physical geography.
Because they started to hunt the deer, wolves reduced their numbers but more significantly changed their behavior. The deer retreated from the open plains, which had been decimated by their unabated grazing. This allowed the grasslands to regenerate, bringing back vegetation that had been lost. The height of trees in the valleys quintupled in just six years. In the absence of gnawing herbivores the
aspen, willows and cottonwoods flourished. This resulted in a bounty of birds and berries. Since the riverbanks were stabilized by plant life again, there was less soil erosion and the waterways became fixed. Instead of meandering their courses were anchored which jumpstarted fish, beavers, amphibians and otters.
Last week I heard from a friend that our phone conversations have had an impact. Because I listen to her, she has been able to feel more compassion
for her husband. She spoke about this in her small group and friends were moved by her story. I have in inkling that empathy will in turn be able to grow in the relationships of people whose names I do not know.
Last weekend was a marriage event in which a cadre of babysitters kept a gymnasium full of children happy all day. Some of the childcare workers were in college, others in high school and a handful in middle school. A portion will be paid, while others
volunteered their time. But what will last longer than the check or appreciative letter I write will be their long term behavior. They were part of an effort to support other people's marriages. In six years when some of them are in relationships themselves what kind of fruit will that bear?
When the deer were chased out of the valleys vegetation that had been methodically cropped off was given a chance to grow. When we make the effort to evict criticism from our
marriages, trust is given the space it needs to take root. Trust brings back the connection, which feeds intimacy. This anchors our course and stops the erosion of contempt.
I truly enjoyed last Saturday, as did the three score and ten people who walked through the door. But I am more excited to watch the relationship cascade that happens over the next twenty years.
