yellowwood

my home…

Yellowwood State Forest isn’t really my home. I don’t own it. But do we really own anything? Rather than ownership, I respectfully hold guardianship.

Yes, Yellowwood’s beautiful 23,326 acres, so close to the current cabin where I dwell, graces me with her presence. My journal/journey entries that follow might often reflect this proximity – falling in love with the places we reside.

Today, after my mile-a-day run, I decided to walk the path along the road again. This time, to collect the litter I witnessed on my first pass. The second time, I veered slightly from this stretch when I noticed a plastic cup in the distance. Here at a vacant camp ground, McDonald debris was strewn around the wooded lot. Then, in just over that one mile (1.07), approximately 2.5 pounds of litter content was accumulated and properly disposed of, but not before I intentionally placed the collection, in an I-Spy formation, next to a tree and documented my findings.

Despite the hurt in my heart, seeing nature contaminated by human junk, my heart was still filled with love, not litter. The song of birds, smell of earth, and rich colors of after-rain delight, kept me present in hope. Despair is a luxury. Hope is a discipline. As I walked with this presence, I knew (and I know) that these small actions do matter.

I will continue to honor this guardianship throughout Yellowwood… and beyond.