Prologue- The value of Nature
I was born in Houston, Texas. For a short time, I stayed there from the age of zero to probably fourth grade. In Houston, there were numerous buildings, including large, tall skyscrapers, a lot of concrete, and very little landscaping. For us, the sole presence of nature was the trees. As children, we would play in and explore small fields in the backyard of the apartment complex where we lived. There were a few birds, and there were wild berries. Sometimes, we would find them, and then there were honeysuckles, I believe that, but if that is why, if it is called that. We would explore as often as possible, but there was very little nature.
We moved from Houston to my grandparents' house on Highway 27 between Fairfield, Texas, and Kirvin, Texas. That is where we began to gain a deep understanding, as far as we look or view. We will work in our grandparents' garden, observe various types of animals and insects, and spend several years living in the country. Daily, we would embark on many adventures in the woods, simply walking and looking at nature, not fully understanding it, yet knowing that there was a sense of beauty and peace. There, we saw different types of vines, leaves, and trees that are oddly shaped, having grown in unusual ways. We had a pond in the back that we would walk to and see different types of fish. Of course, there were snakes too. Still, overall, it was a great experience and reflects everything I appreciate.
Photo credit to Willie Keener
My brother and I would run from my grandparents’ house to my cousin's house, which was probably a half mile through the woods. He had created a trail; nowadays it is perhaps a hiking trail. Still, he had created his trail, and he and I would run down and play with my cousins and have fun until right at dark. Then I recall numerous times when it was dark. In the country, we could hear our grandmother yelling, “Bubba Bubba, y’all better get back to this house!” from half a mile away, and my brother would tell me to come on. We’ll take out running along the trail in the dark. I am holding on to my brother's shirt, running through the dark in that trail that he had created, weaving in and out, ducking limbs. He is telling me to hold on, and I am running right behind him. I am holding on tight, sometimes being dragged along. However, he never left me behind, and we made it home, filled with joy from the fun we had that day. Simply put, I am a country boy at heart and greatly appreciate the opportunities that have been graciously given to me. My past propels me daily.
Photo credit to Willie Keener
While we were out during that time, my sister would become fascinated with insects. She told how she would sit and observe a dirt wasp kill a spider and take them into the ground. I thought that they were subduing them to put their eggs into a nest to hatch. She thought otherwise. Either way, that was part of our daily routine, a stark contrast from city life. Then she expressed that she had a great interest in the grasshopper's beauty, to the point that she would dissect them. Their beauty led her to become a scientist. Those were the good old days. Also, true lenses are the ones we view life through daily. We see the beauty of nature, the vivid colors, patterns, textures, designs and much more. However, when we use the mind’s eye, we can create visions that become part of us personally that others can enjoy for generations, this is art. Then thousands of years later they can study our culture.
Photo credit to Willie Keener
Photo credit to Willie Keener
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