Jordan, age 13, and grandmother Gaye, age 63

Intergenerational Description of Joint Project:
My granddaughter and I were visiting for a week, and I suggested we enter this contest. She had wanted to go with me to the nursing home where I worked. A simple survey was created, and she took notes as I encouraged the elderly to respond. My granddaughter responded and so did I.  It was a fun project, reflecting back over the last ten years. It brought us closer together, more sensitive to Nature!

Celebration of Rachel Carson’s Sense of Wonder:

The survey led to thoughts about the different definitions of Nature. What early influence had lasting impressions on ten elders. How a teenager could protect and care for Nature, and general advice from the elders. We've been drawing and painting pictures of Nature ever since we started this contest! It's just something we both enjoy doing!

 

Essay:

About Nature

My name is Jordan, and I am 13 years old.I went with my Grandma to the Nursing Home, and asked the Elderly questions about their experience with Nature. Here are my answers to the same questions in our survey!
I would define "Nature" as special and unique.
My very first impression, one that has left a lasting impression on me...was going to Paradise Garden with my Grandma. Every Saturday we would go to the Garden.  I was about three and four years old...and I didn't like to get dirt on my toes. So, Grandma let me hold the water hose. I would wash off the dirt and leaves as soon as they touched me.
Now, I can laugh at all that.
I liked playing "horsie" on Grandma's back when she weeded. I helped her plant trees and make an Indian shelter out of bamboo branches. It was fun. I got to play in the mud and make "cakes".
One time, the red ants got on my legs...they bit me, and they bit Grandma. But...she made me laugh anyway, telling me about the Mosquito Dance in Africa. We wrote a funny story about the experience.
It was called, "Red Ants Don't Laugh!" The message was, "Bite and Be Killed!"
 
I have learned not to mess with Nature, nor try to make it's process faster than it already is.
I find lightning storms frighten me, but I enjoy seeing how Nature produces itself- for example: the flowers and plants. It amazes me how Nature attracts people to notice its greatness!
 
Here are the answers from the Elders (most were over the age of 76 years):
 
We are part of Nature. When I think of Nature, I think of my first impresion around wild birds!
 
I think of plants and flowers, and especially all the apple trees. My mother made the most delicious applesauce and apple cakes...baked apples, apple streudel with raisins, cinnamon and nuts. Even now,  I'm 90 years old, I smile at those memories!
 
I remember a blizzard, and going outside in waist deep snow. I lived in Pennsylvania at the time. The snow was so very beautiful, all sparkling. Now, I can't get out of bed...but I think of the grass on the outside, and it brings back wonderful feelings.
I remember seeing the geese flying in formation, amazing!
 I have always felt like God was there, taking care of Nature in every way.
 
Nature is the beginning of everything. It's a beautiful part of life.
One time, when I was very young, I almost drowned. Things flashed by in my mind... After that, I saw life as being more fragile. I appreciated and noticed how plants- vegetables, grew... I liked that, seeing life in that way. I grew to love Nature, the ocean and the mountains. I will never forget the times I went camping with the boy scouts in the Everglades. I learned if you leave the wild animals alone, they will leave you alone. That goes for the alligators, and the sharks.
 
I grew up in Georgia, and will always remember the tobacco fields. We grew things to eat, and I was part of that. I went fishing, too...we caught most of our meals. There were 8 children in my family.
 
I grew up in Puerto Rico...and don't remember anything special about Nature. I think I really grew up in Winn Dixie. There was always fruits; bananas, sweet potatoes, and squash there. I became a home-maker, and did a lot of cooking. All the good things came from Nature, but I never thought about it much.
Now, I wish I could go home... I miss being there, with all those good things again!
 
I remember the beautiful giant pink flowers in the tree by the house where I grew up. I must have been about 12 at the time. That's when my mother died. I went to live with my aunt. When that flowering tree came into bloom, my eyes just lit up. I felt like I was in the presence of the fountain of youth!
Yes, Nature is Art!
 
The advice from the Elders:
 
Be careful when you go out into Nature, there are wild animals and snakes... and poison plants.
Learn all you can about the dangers...and about boys, too!
 
 Make sure the Nature in your own yard, gets plenty of water. It will keep it renewed!
 
Go to the library, and read all you can about Nature. Learn everything about it, especially apple trees!
 
Watch Nature, how it grows the things we eat.
Go fishing, take time to have fun!
Next time, you are home cooking...think of where your food comes from, and be thankful!
 
If we don't take care of Nature, stop all the pollution and destruction of the forests... the only solution might be to send Mankind to another planet. Only then could Nature survive!
Associate yourself with Nature, and protect it! Go outside and walk barefoot in the grass. Learn all about the ecology of the World!
 
From my Grandma:
 
When I think about Nature, I think about the Native Americans.
They are closest to Nature in so many ways.
They teach their very young children to imitate the bird calls.
They use every part of a hunted animal, never wasting..and always praying thankfulness before they begin the cleaning process.
They can walk like a deer, hidden from sight.
They can carry a spark of a fire, for many many miles- to start a new fire faraway.
They run in tribal races, with a mouthful of water...and win at not swallowing it.
They say their thanks to all the elements- water, air, fire, earth... all the flying creatures, all those that live in the waters, and crawl on the ground...all the plants, all the animals, all the humans... all those in spirit form...all those on different planets. And, of course there is the Medicine Wheel... the Wheel of Life used for balancing and healing... And...their understanding of the gifts from different colors, different animals... different stones... flowers, trees!
They have a remarkable philosophy...based on their love of Nature.
All these have left their impression on me... almost my entire life!
 
It all began when I was 8 years old. I had gone to Camp Moonbeams for two weeks. On the last day of camp, all the campers went on a very long hike. We were in the Mountains of upstate New York. The counselors led us to a hidden beaver dam. We got there by sunset, and everything was bathed in mist, soft pink and blue colors. It was awe-inspiring. Then, as we headed back to our campgrounds, the counselor told us that they had lost their way. An Indian came across us, and welcomed us. He wore the traditional head dress and clothes... and taught us how to build a fire, safely. Then, somehow, he had enough food for all of us to eat. Ha Ha! I didn't realize that the counselors had put on that performance for us, not until I was all grown up. I have always looked to the Native Americans, as my rescuers! Keep close to Nature, and you'll never be lost!
 
Back in 1990, I began a major project- creating Paradise Garden. It is a three acre part of the Manfred Retreat Center in South Miami, Florida. Shaped by trees in the form of a Medicine Wheel. It has inspirational pathways, based on the premise that where there is Hope there is Life...where there is a love of Nature, there is Happiness!
The pathways include: Gratitude, Compassion, Love, Patience, Generosity, Wisdom, Justice, Courage, Respect, Humility, Faith, and Forgiveness!
 
I like to teach young folk about the elements: fire, water, earth, and air. When we cherish them, we can benefit greatly. Protect Nature against abuse, pollutants, and greed... and Nature will take care of us!
Go on Vision Quests, and find the purpose/ meaning of Life.
Learn from the Native Americans, they saw Life and Nature in very original, creative ways! For instance; The gifts from the Animals, the Sacred Pathways, the meaning of the six directions, the language of the trees, the gifts of the Colors, and the gifts of the Stones!
 Learn how to understand them, as if you were studying a new language- It's really the Language of Nature!