Day 5 Blog

I arrived to Washington Park, for one of the final times this quarter, in the early afternoon. It was a sunny day, slightly hot under the Sun, but the perfect temperature under the shade of the autumn trees. I was greeted into the park similar to how I was the very first time I visited, by the geese. All of them searching for food on the grass. 

The park was very lively this Saturday afternoon. Many people were going on their runs, bike rides, or walks with their pets accompanied by the vivid colors of autumn. The trees ranged from a deep red with almost all their leaves strewed on the ground, to a bright shade of yellow, and even trees still fully green. The park was lit up with color. Despite the beauty all around me, I couldn't help but feel a deep pang of sadness hit me. I was feeling very homesick this day. I long to share this beauty with my loved ones back home in Texas. Being surrounded by happy families walking by with their dogs, and even seeing a beagle which was the breed of my late childhood dog, I wanted so bad to be able to spend time with my own family. 

As I continued my walk in the park, I came across a lady selling popsicle sticks. Because I was feeling down, I decided to indulge in buying one. Nothing like an ice cold popsicle stick to lift your spirits, and lift my spirits indeed it did. I found a bench staring straight ahead at the water, and I took this time to reflect. I reminded myself that being able to spend my afternoon surrounded by nature when living in a large metropolitan area is such a privilege. When life starts to overwhelm you, or you lose yourself to rotting in bed, it's important to take time to yourself to reset. 

After allowing myself the time to ponder by the lake, I continued to walk through the park. With each step I took, I felt the crunch of leaves or the rockiness of the gravel roads underneath my shoes. By paying attention to these senses, I was able to root myself to the Earth. I thought back to one of the first readings we did in my first year seminar class titled Walking written by Linda Hogan. She described plants as having their own beat to them. By paying attention to the little things, we can truly connect with the Earth. When you might be feeling lost, reconnecting with nautre can also allow you to stay grounded to who you are and those who came before you. 

As I navigated my way out of the park, I felt gratitude towards the nature around me. Even when the leaves are changing color, the trees remain rooted to the ground. No matter what we might be feeling that day, nature has the power to bring you solace. When thinking about the future of Wash Park, I know that, as long as people take care of the land it sits on, it will continue to remain a place where people can find comfort. Because no matter how much a city grows or as we increasingly rely on technology, people will always have the need to reconnect with nature. In Rachel Carson's Of Man and the Stream of Time, she discusses how it is up to the younger generation to reverse the damage we've done to the Earth, and to learn how to be one with nature and not above it. 

Time keeps moving on, and Washington Park will continue to change just how my life is filled with changes every day. However, change can be a beautiful thing. As long as we embrace the change, and stay connected with the nature around us, change can lead to a hopeful future.