I've always been big on the concept of "recycle and reuse". Call me a frugal suburbanite who hasn't lost complete touch with her rural roots. AND I hate the thought of huge landfills, litter in general and the vision of plastic bags eroding in our lakes, seas and oceans. Which, sadly, they appear to be doing -- along with ending up in bird and squirrel nests.
So let me tell you a little story about my love of nature.
When I was a little girl, I climbed through hills and pastures to reach my favorite spot (in the woods). It was a small grassy bank of a ravine that was nestled among trees and brush. That was the one place I knew I could always get to when I needed to holler at my parents (or at God) and not get in trouble. Then, after I had spent enough time complaining and moaning about my sorry circumstances, I'd cry a little, pray a little, weep a little more and then look out at the trees, hear the birds and see the clouds in the beautiful blue sky. And after only a short time, peace would come, my heart would be eased and I'd be ready to face, once again, my world.
Sometimes you just need to find a quiet place.
So when you have the chance, tell your favorite kid about where you'd go (when you were young and needed to "holler") and what you did to find peace (so that your heart would ease). Kids "get it" and sometimes they're just waiting for a beloved adult to "remember" what it was like to be a child and have to face the world.
P.S.
And periodically chat about what it means to be good stewards of our land. Kids learn about recycling at school. But it won't have much of an impact if recycling isn't done at home and in the community.
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