The warm breeze of the autumn California air brushes my face. Little pink and yellow flowers from my Mom’s garden dance in the wind. I sat on the pavement outside in front of the kitchen door; my legs are sprawled out on the grass in front of me. It was a peaceful afternoon after a stressful day of school and all I wanted was to be outside in the calmness of my backyard. The grass felt rough under my toes and my fingers as I pull it out of the ground; out of habit. About 10 feet away from me is my mom’s garden that has all sorts of flowers ranging in all different colors and sizes. Protruding out of the ground next to the flowers were little flags with cartoon scenes of nature drawn on them. Every garden seemed to have these for some reason. A tall tree sat next to the flower garden as well. The dark brown/grey bark is bumpy and had little ants and caterpillars other bugs running up and down this old tree. The leaves are a rich green and yellow color that had little holes in each that seemed to be from a caterpillar that is on one of the leaves, munching away.

The wind was calm and comforting now. I noticed a scene going on right in front of me; two butterflies soaring around each other and the flowers in the garden. They would move their wings in unison as they flew through the sky. Their beautiful orange, black and white wings seemed weightless. Watching this interaction gave me a bittersweet feeling. These two exquisite creatures could go anywhere they wanted at anytime. They were free to do as they please, and I wish I had this luxury. I feel like I am locked inside a box and the only way out was to so everything I was told and to do it perfectly. I had to do well in school, but still have a social life. I had to get into a good college and then have a good career. So many things had to be done and so many decisions to be made that I wasn’t able to make myself, and then I would be let out of this restricting and suffocating box. Yet, these butterflies were free. They had the power to do whatever they wanted.

Nature has always been interesting and beautiful to me. I enjoy going out on walks and seeing what plantlife and animals I will encounter. Being by myself in nature lets me think and truly understand and comprehend what I’m trying to think about. Feeling the sun’s rays on my skin, the grass on my toes, the leafs in between my fingers makes me feel Nirvana, in a sense. As I walk I grab a leaf off a tree or a bush and pick away at it until only the stem is left. Just like Emerson said, just because I am physically alone doesn’t mean I’m truly alone. I have nature and the wondrous creatures throughout it. Sitting by myself in my backyard or walking in a forest I feel peace. I feel like nothing can harm me as long I’m in the protection of the trees and the sun. Nature brings me comfort in knowing that it can’t let me down. Nature always exceeds my expectations in bringing me joy and happiness.