Little Rock, Arkansas

I don’t often go back to my hometown in Little Rock, Arkansas, but when I do I always seem to find myself outside. I grew up in the outdoors – my parents would make my brother and I stay outside from the moment we woke up to the moment they called us back in for dinner. Being honest, I didn’t mind it too much. I got to climb trees in my backyard, make a swing on one of the branches with rope and a skateboard, make mud cakes, roll down the golf course slopes into the bunkers, get way too many fire ants’ bites from stepping in their homes, and learning how to cross a river with only the materials in your backpack. 

I liked how I felt when I was outside and I notice more and more each day as I grow further and further apart from my hometown just how much I miss it. This past week I went back home for Thanksgiving. It was a special feeling being able to see my old house that I grew up in for 18 years of my life and remembering the joy I got from certain spots around it. 

Being in college, I don’t have as much time to sit outside and admire the vines growing up the sides of buildings or the different shapes of leaves that fall from the trees every second. I did that so much as a child.

Thanksgiving is more of a time for reflection in my family. We like to go outside on walks no matter how cold it is, we like to ride bikes illegally on the golf course trails, we admire the multi-colored trees and we rarely ever leave the neighborhood in a car. I miss those days and I appreciate this nature class giving me the opportunity to see every week how much I’m missing out on. 

I used to only think about my love for the outdoors when I went home for Thanksgiving – but now I know how much I miss it every day. I make it a priority of mine to sit outside underneath a tree each day even if it’s only ten minutes. I like to self-reflect during that time and remind myself no matter how hard some days are, they can always be made better with a hug from a tree.