Nature's Dance

Osage Hills State Park – Creek Loop Trail

February 28, 2016 - 2 of 12

I had a dream. A dream of my daughter and I hiking all the trails in nature with only smiles and laughter. Reality … it’s going to take a while for my four year old to appreciate the sound of the wind through the leaves or the way pine wafts through the air.

It was a glorious day and I, just call me mean ol’ mommy, made my daughter go with me to walk the Creek Loop Trail at Osage Hills State Park. She really wanted to stay home with her daddy, who really needed to finish a paper.

I resorted to bribery, go ahead a judge, like you’ve never promised your kid a lemonade if they’d pretend to have fun. And it worked for a while …

I let her pick the trail, which she loved. I let her lead, she’s a natural leader. And then about half-through she was done and my little leader turned into a world class complainer. The wind was too windy. The rocks were too rocky and that grasshopper was way too large and grasshopper-y.

Finally, we made it back to the little creek and while “mean ol’ mommy” took some pictures of a small stream, my daughter made the world her stage and danced to the sound of nature. All her crankiness forgotten.

I couldn't help but smile and remind myself how nature affects us all in different ways. When I’m in nature I can hike for miles, my curiosity pushes me to see what’s around the next bend, even when my feet are tired.

When my daughter is in nature, it makes her dance. 

New Friends and Lessons

Osage Hills State Park – Bugle/Waterfall Trail

February 18, 2016 - 1/12

I made a vow to do more hiking and by golly I am going to keep it. Not only am hoping that getting out more will help me become healthier, but am hoping to teach Annaley to love and cherish nature.

We were both excited as we started our new adventure. I was happy to be outside, getting back to what I love and Annaley was excited to jump off rocks and sassy walk her way down a dirt trail.

We stopped frequently so I could show Annaley a robin, unique trees, squirrels, rock formations, and a very brave (or acclimated) armadillo.

As we neared the falls I could hear the sound of kids playing. In all honesty, my first instinct was to turn around. I was enjoying my alone time with Annaley and, since I’m being honest, I am a natural introvert. I put on a good front, but talking to strangers is not my forte and given the opportunity to meet and greet or avoid, I usually avoid.

But I knew Annaley would love to see the waterfalls and play on the rocks. Also, part of my vow is to be brave. I cannot begin to list everything I have shied away from because I was scared or because, Lord forbid, I might have to talk to other people, who, by the way, are doing the same thing I am aka the thing I love.

Approaching the waterfalls, Annaley was instantly greeted by two girls roughly her age and just like that she had made two new friends. Taking a deep breath I introduced myself to the girl’s mother. Soon her three boys were also showing Annaley all their treasures. They gave her fresh water shells, sparkly rocks, and one boy even gave her a quarter. Their generosity and kindness was overwhelming in the best way.

I couldn’t help but think that had I turned us around before the falls, when I heard the kids, that Annaley wouldn’t have experienced this genuine kindness of strangers. The day had started out with me wanting to teach Annaley about nature, but in the end, it was I who learned how being brave can lead to unexpected friendships.