Nature

Why I didn’t take a walk.

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Washington state is home of the Emerald city, the Cascade mountain range, Mt. Rainier, the Puget Sound and miles of Pacific Coast shoreline and highway. It is breathtakingly beautiful. When I say that I mean stop you dead in your tracks, consciously remember to breathe and pick your jaw up off the ground beautiful.

I am spoiled, totally and completely spoiled from having grown up in such a magnificent part of the country and world for that matter. I inherited a deep seeded love for nature. For its’ beauty and all it has to offer. I am from a lower middle class family and I have six brothers and sisters. Since we didn’t have a lot of money growing up my family usually went for the free outdoor activities and for that I am truly grateful. Instead of going to Disneyland we went camping. Instead of going to amusement parks we went on day trips to the ocean. Instead of a fancy vacation we took road trips out to the Olympic Peninsula. I wouldn’t trade the experiences or the memories for any others.

I can see most of our recent readings manifest in my experiences with nature. I am my true self out in the woods. When I am swimming through icy glacial run off or hiking through a forest so green it looks like it was taken straight from Oz or the Emerald City. When I am immersed with the independence of solitude I can listen to what the earth is trying to teach me through the winds song, the sunsets vision and the feel of the breeze on my skin. When I am living a full life I become one with the mountains and I know that with enough faith I can move them. My life would not be full if I didn’t have the peace I feel from leaving the crazy modern world behind and seeking out the stillness of the outdoors. Those moments are sublime when words escape me and I am moved with emotion, to tears, at the beauty God has created and given to us, his children.

My relationship with nature is one of reverence and awe. My relationship with nature is one of peace and gratitude. My relationship with nature continues to strengthen and grow. I hope I will be able to share that relationship with my son. I hope he will grow up to know and love nature the way I do.

Why I didn’t take a walk… there are many things I wish I had time to do that I simply don’t. My days are filled with school work (being a scholar), my son (living a full life) and work (just one of those necessities). I simply didn’t have time to get out and enjoy one of the things I love the most. It is going on the “to do” list and the next time I do get out I will think of this assignment. I hope I will enjoy it even more!