Sometimes it helps to see the world through a different lens in order to appreciate that which surrounds us. In this case, that lens is the eyes of a 13-year-old girl, as I recently came across an essay I wrote in eighth grade. This story is so simple, and its message so clear, that I thought I would share an excerpt here as a reminder to step back and appreciate our earth and its beauty. We all need to be told to “stop and smell the roses” from time-to-time. So please, when you’re outside, if even for a few minutes, take a breath, look around and really see what Mother Nature has to offer. I know you will be happy you did.
The Sunrise
By (a young) Alyssa Guglielmo
April 16, 1992
“Mother Nature creates such extraordinary things that most humans take for granted. The phenomenal natural waterfalls, and the spectacular sunrises and sunsets are all Mother Nature’s creations. In my opinion, the most wonderful of all is the sunrise.
The first day of spring two years ago was the day I witnessed the most beautiful sunrise ever. I awoke very early one morning, only to see a faint stream of sunlight peeking through my window in the dark night sky. I got out of bed and threw on the nearest clothes I could find, hoping to catch at least a glimpse of what I hoped would be a beautiful sunrise. When I finally got outside, a magnificent burst of sunlight came pouring down upon me. I felt like I was in a whole other world!
Two cardinals in a nearby tree were singing their song of joy as a slight breeze rustled the tree branches ever so softly. Flowers of all colors were shooting up out of the ground like water coming out of a whale’s spout. This created the ultimate surroundings for what I saw next. As if she had been waiting just for me, Mother Nature put on one of her specialty shows – the sunrise!
Although I had seen sunrises before, none of them came close to the beauty that stood before my eyes now. Never had I seen colors as vivid as those that were surrounding the bright orange circle that we know as the sun.
That day I realized that some of the most beautiful things in our world are not created by man, but by Mother Nature herself. To me, nothing can compare in beauty to that spring day when I experienced the sunrise. On that day, something very important dawned on me. It was that this world we live in needs to be cared for, and we are the only ones who can do it.”