Oh goodness, where to begin? I suppose the beginning is always best, if I can remember where it actually started! It began so very long ago…
To be honest, I’ve wanted to put this in writing for a very long time, but how? That has been the long, lingering question. Now, right now, there seems to be no other choice.
My earliest memories are of life in an old farmhouse huddled atop a bluff overlooking the Wisconsin countryside. To my child’s eyes the rural views were expansive, endless, the far-off hills and woodlands a misty purple with distance. What mystery, what adventures, what promise those horizons held! The images I carry today, although likely tinged by childhood fantasy, are of open spaces, and boundless nature right on my doorstep. I also have vivid memories of the many animals that lived with us, including cats, dogs, and rabbits. I loved them all.
This was the start of a life-long love affair with nature.
My grandfather was a landscape oil painter. One of my favorite of his many paintings is a green and lush ravine, which was located not far from our house. My grandfather gifted this painting to me many years ago, and it remains a treasured possession today, due not only to the fond memories of my grandfather, but of that dell as well. His paintings take me back to a time of innocence and wonder. He introduced me to much of the natural world I’ve come to love.
When I was ten we moved to northwestern Wyoming, near Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Such a rich and vibrant space to grow up in, with wildlife and unspoiled nature all around us! The wonderful images of my youth in this beautiful area I hold close, and are too many even to count. But I will relay a few that stand out for me.
We lived outside a small town in a largely rural area. I loved going for nighttime walks in the winter, especially if there was a light snow falling. It often felt like the night was calling to me to come outside and sit with her. There was a large tree a couple of acres behind our house, which became one of my favorite spots to visit. I would nestle against the protective trunk of this sturdy, welcoming tree and watch the snowflakes fall around me. I always felt warm and secure, an integral part of all the nature that surrounded me here.
I was fortunate to have horses while growing up, and will always be grateful for this. My BFF lived just down the road from us, and after school I would often ride my horse to her driveway. She and her horse would meet us there, and we’d continue down the road to a trailhead. This trail wound up a beautiful canyon, which we often hiked. But our after school destination, not far up the canyon, was a small meadow with a lively stream running along one edge of it. I remember chattering aspens, a cool green meadow, the warm smell of sweaty horses after a good gallop, our toes dangling in the bright water of the stream, and our laughter echoing down the canyon. These memories will live with me the rest of my days, and I can’t begin to express the gratitude I feel for having the opportunity of growing up in such a magical place.
Over the years since then, I’ve had even more chances to explore a variety of landscapes, to walk the trails in many unique countrysides. From Arizona to Vermont, Canada to Mexico, Europe, India, Ecuador. I’ve explored so much of the infinite variety of earth, and met some of the wildlife we share the richness of this planet with.
As individuals, we each have our own unique experiences with nature. For some it’s all about the challenge: climbing mountains or participating in endurance races.
Some take a more scientific approach: oceanographers, geologists, biologists, naturalists, ornithologists, field scientists, meteorologists, astronomers, the list goes on and on.
There are so many other ways to experience nature: the intellectual, the health-minded, the poetic, the spiritual…
Nature has so much to offer all of us, even if our experiences are limited to watching butterflies around a potted plant on a balcony, or a couple of trees in a neighborhood park. She is rich enough to supply all of our individual needs and passions.
For me, she is an integral part of my life, of who I am. My spiritual life is rooted in soil, my poetry is inspired by dancing streams, whispering trees, birdsong. The aromas of each season, carried by the winds, bring back memories of layer upon layer of my life. I work with birds. I loiter in forests. I find infinite peace in closing my eyes in the warmth of sunlight and letting the sound of moving water carry me to places unexplored. The feel of gentle snowflakes melting on my skin. Watching a fox move across a field. I embrace it all.
We need to disconnect, even if it’s just now and then, from the artificial world we’ve created, and venture back into the natural world again.
We tend to see ourselves as separate from nature, but nothing could be further from the truth. The more damage we do to her, the more damage we do to our own lives and our future as a species. The sooner we learn to embrace nature, respect her, protect her… the better. For our own sakes, yes, but more importantly for the sake of our children and grandchildren. Take the time to learn about and experience our natural world.
She’s supported us for as long as we’ve existed. It’s time we stop denying the damage we do to her, and return the favor.