I grew up in the country (outside the city, in nature), on over 90 acres of land.

On top of that I was homeschooled through fifth grade, meaning I spent a lot of time around home, which I absolutely loved.

I was in the middle of the woods, surrounded by nature and animals.

The most ponies/horses we’ve had at one time was 13 I believe. We have always had two dogs, a handful of cats, a parrot that’s older than I am, and we once had two pigs, two jersey calves and a crippled angus calf around the same time.

I also grew up with three siblings. A sister 21 months older than me and then two brothers, three and five years younger than me. We would run around the woods creating make believe worlds, and swim in a particular part of our creek we called the Frog Pond.

But as I got into junior high and high school I started to resent this little slice of heaven I grew up on. I wanted the city and I couldn’t wait to get as far away from the country as I could.

But as the years pass the more I can feel myself pulled towards the trees, the birds and the ability to see the stars at night.

When the occasion comes to get back down to my parent’s place I relish in those moments spent outside. I soak in how incredibly calm and peaceful it is.

I forget until I get back out there how much nature nourishes me.

I find myself in these moments, out there in the trees, where I can just stop, breath deep and look up towards the sky. What better time to stop and become present in that moment, to find gratitude for being in that place.

And I am reminded each time, how much good this does for me, and how I need to continue to find space for nature in my life.