Paradise
Although this place doesn’t have sand or water, it will always be my oasis. As long as I’ve known how to breathe, the fresh air filling my lungs has been intertwined with the sound of birds singing. When the robins, cardinals, chickadees, and mourning doves sing their songs, I find myself at home. Lying under the hundred year old locust tree, even before it blooms, is an ethereal experience. The branches sway, I hear the birds chirp, and I know then that I’m home.
The Pond
No more than 100 feet west of the locust tree is the pond that I’ve spent endless summer mornings sitting at, mesmerized by the frogs, koi, and goldfish cohabitating with each other. Today is one of the first days of the year that the aquatic creatures perform their routine for us. After my mother throws a fistful of fish food, they all swim to the surface, eager to get fed first. The beautiful koi fish glimmer in the sunlight just before the clouds come to dull the pastel colors of spring. My beautiful blonde kitty saunters over to the pond, crossing the wooden bridge while hunting the first dozen frogs to appear this season. The frogs have gorgeous green speckles and sit patiently waiting. I could never know what they were waiting for, but I could sense their calm patience, and it washed over me. The dead and brittle remnants of last year’s lily pads and reeds fill my family with anticipation for springtime.
A Walk Around the Grounds
Once I’ve exhausted our examination of the pond, I take Dolly’s lead, my cat, and begin to walk to the front patio of my house. Who knew just an acre of land could hold so much value for a family, and so much beauty, even in the death of winter’s last moments. I’ve never felt more privileged to live here than when I get to watch the land turn over and gain a new life once a year. I sit on the front patio with my mother and let her tell me which birds are singing and which ones are her favorite. As we listen to the birds, I look up towards the sky and see the perfect shade of baby blue, with heather gray clouds passing by. I imagine where the sun is and how it shines down on the Earth, allowing my house to be dimly lit in the late afternoon in the most perfect way.
Conclusions
I feel such peace surrounded by Mother Nature; though some could dub me a tree-hugger, I’d much rather be known for my loving attitude towards the place we call home. I’ve walked every inch of this property, I know where every tulip will come up and where the deer will cross into the woods. It’s undeniable that during spring, I feel most connected to this land.