From a young age, the earth and nature have been my connection to strength, to something divine—whether you call it God, spirit, or simply the sacred. The landscapes of my childhood—the trees, the grass, the wind, the sky—were what I turned to when I needed to feel steadiness, beauty, and power. Nature’s calm has always been a constant in my life.
I count myself lucky that many of the same trees and mountains that shaped me in my youth are still in my life today. These places are more than scenery—they are touchstones. There is something incredibly grounding about returning to a tree I once knew, still standing, still growing, and offering quiet wisdom.
Over the years, I’ve come to think of trees as something just like me—growing, changing, and enduring whatever comes their way. The rings inside a tree, its roots reaching deep into the soil, its limbs stretching toward the light—these things amaze me. They tell a story, one that continues as long as the tree is given space and time to grow.
People are like that too. Our bodies bear the marks of our journeys—scars, freckles, wrinkles—signs of the stories we carry. My height stopped changing long ago, but I’ve never stopped growing. Each day brings new experiences that ask me to look up—literally and figuratively—and consider what the trees might be experiencing alongside me.
There is a kind of magic in the trees’ branches, their leaves, and their continued renewal. In moments of overwhelm, I find strength and peace in their presence. Sitting under a tree, walking among them, even resting with my back against their trunk—it all brings me back to myself. What we now call forest bathing was, in my youth, just another ordinary day in the neighborhood.
These days, I crave that connection more and more. Every new wrinkle, every new challenge reminds me of the healing the trees offer. As long as they keep growing, giving, and grounding us, I’ll keep looking up in gratitude.
As Jane Goodall once said, “Earth Day should be every day.” I agree. Every single day is a gift to love this planet, to cherish the earth beneath our feet, and to celebrate the trees that show us how to stand tall and sway with grace through it all.
I may no longer climb trees like I once did, but I still dream. I still imagine the view.
