I am not sure quite how it happened but I grew up knowing next to nothing about the natural world. Aside from an interest in all things animal-related, I was completely ignorant. I mean, until a few years, I could not have distinguished between an oak and a maple tree. Really. Nothing.
Now my kids and I are making up for lost time. Recently, I have become fascinated with all things tree. On our recent trip to Vermont, I picked up a pocket guide to identifying coniferous and deciduous trees and took it on a hike with us. Wow are there lots of species of pine trees! And they all look so similar to these amateur eyes! Every day I "discover" a new to me tree right in my neighborhood. Yesterday, a Tulip tree and today a Gingko.
Amazing what we can find when we open our eyes, isn't it? There is so much beauty all around and if we can just escape through that gate, that bolted door in our head, get out of our mind and into the world--we can really live, even if only for moments at a time.
4 comments:
I find that adventures with my kids are broadening my interest in and understanding of the natural world too. We haven't gotten into tree study yet, but I have seen some amazing photos and information from some other blogging mamas too. How lucky your kids are to have you nurturing them.
Having kids makes me grateful for many things, but it is truly so nice to be able to access a childs mind and wonderment again and learn things we never absorbed or had interests in when we were youngsters. I second Kerry. You are such a great Mama jus becuase you are you and you are willing to be in the moment with them. XOXO
Beautifully said. They really are wonderful things. And I'm just starting to learn more about them myself!
They are so fascinating (trees that is), aren't they? I'm studying them with my class at school right now, and it just gets more and more in depth.
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