Nature’S_Permanent_Image

Nature’s Permanent Image The vivid memory of my family’s land in Rolla, Missouri never leaves my mind. Even though I was young at the time, I can still return to this place at any moment. I just close my eyes and take a deep breath. Suddenly my lungs are filled with the clean and pure air, a welcome change from the thick hazy air of the city I live in now. I am alone with only my thoughts and emotions to keep me company. The summer breeze, warm upon my face is filled with the sweet smell of the tall billowing grass. Soft green hills surround me. I am not certain where they begin or where they end. Far into the distance I can see another farmhouse. Only an occasional hay stack disrupts the scenery. Clusters of bright yellow sunflowers are growing amidst the green grass that covers the acres of land. I pick a sunflower and take pleasure in its sweet fragrance. I pull each soft petal off and toss it into the wind. Then puffs of white cotton from a cottonwood tree float slowly past me. As I walk, the thick blades of the plentiful grass tickles my legs. Huge brown grasshoppers jump left and right to escape my path. Except for the occasional chirping of a meadowlark, it is so quiet I feel as though the world exists only here and I am the only person allowed to witness this scenic portrait of nature. My bare feet sink into the rich soil of the land around me, and at once I have the sensation of feeling that I am one with nature. Then another gust of wind blows my sundress and sun struck hair behind me. That is how I know everything around me is at peace. It is almost as though time has stop for this one moment of my existence. Minutes turn into hours and the sun begins to sink below the horizon. The sky is splashed with yellow, gold, pink, and orange. It looks as though Van Gogh himself has painted this very sky for me. As the sky fades to a black and blue canvas of glistening oceans of stars crickets begin to sing their evening song. I start to make my way back towards the farm house. As I climb a large hill I look down, and a small stream appears before me. The sight and sounds beckon me to its muddy edge. As I get closer I can hear the bubbling sound as it flows over the rocks beneath surface. I gather some smooth cool rocks from the bottom of the stream as keepsakes. As I reach in the water startles me. It is as cold as snow in the dead of winter and as clear as glass of fresh spring water. When I look into the grayish blue water, I see a reflection of a small child. I reach down and touch the cold smooth surface, but the ripples distort it. When I look again I see the image of grown woman. I sit and stare at the woman until a small toad comes along and plops right into the image. The splash for his landing brings me out of my trance. Once I focus again I notice the scene. I am in awe of the simple beauty around me. Then a glow of neon yellow out of corner of my eye catches my attention. I look up to see a stunning site. Thousands of little fireflies are surrounding every inch of the trees by creek as far as I can see. Their lighted ends reflect off the flowing creek and it’s almost as if little fairies are dancing atop the surface of the water. “Molly Marie it’s time to come in” my mother’s strong carrying voice catches my ear “Coming momma” I reply and begin to make my way back leaving my beautiful adventure behind me. The complications of everyday life seem so far away when I come back to this memory. A sense of calm envelops me. This is the most beautiful portrait mother earth has created, and I’ve never met this scene’s match. Quite frankly I do not believe I ever will. Even today when I close my eyes and take a deep breath, the scene is vibrant in my mind. The hills that I remember as a child mean as much to me now as they did when I was a young. Their beauty remains untouched, and I will treasure them forever.