The following is an essay that my granddaughter Nicole wrote for her junior English class to complete a section on transcendentalism. Nicole has been fearlessly exploring, experiencing and investigating the land almost since birth. One of my favorite memories of Nicole at the land is sitting with her near the wood pile in the light of the fire as she dug under leaves and between logs looking for whatever was available for inspection, then, having found something, holding it up for me to name.
The Land
It is only a fortunate few that are invited to The Land. The lucky members experience an overwhelming sense of tranquility, friendship, and enjoyment. Only those who are close to my grandfather and those who impress him as trustworthy are welcome to his property. As I am his first granddaughter, I have been going to The Land since my birth; it is one of my most prized and respected privileges.
The gorgeous sights of summer at The Land are what make it most intimate. Most days I hike the 67 acres of terrain, without any scheduled purpose.
Nicole walking the Middle Road
Such wonderful things are hidden in the land; I find lush green forest, rolling hills, bountiful gardens, and ponds full of life. When physical exploration ceases for the day, the sun falls behind the largest pond with colorful grace, bringing me to my knees as if to follow it. The solitude of the Amish country it is set in allows little light pollution, revealing the mesmerizing stars each night. They twinkle, sparkle, and perform for us. I fall into my imagination; mental exploration begins. These sights are the ones that have, over time, taught me the beauty of God’s creation, and how special I am to witness it.
Though subtle, the sounds of The Land are what give it familiarity. The music follows me and varies wherever I wander on the property. I wake to the perfect birdsong of the forest. I stroll. The breeze and I force the surrounding plants to bustle. The tall wispy grass and little wild flowers graze each other as if sparking a romance. The gentle buzz of the apiary fills my soul. Unlike the rest of the life at The Land, the honey bees refuse to let me interrupt them. The crackling of the fire at night announces the start of nighttime; crickets hum, playing cards snap against the wooden tables, every person gathers, as if choreographed, around the hearth. These are nature’s way of communicating with me, directing me, protecting me, showing me its beauty.
One thing I’ve always appreciated about The Land is its abundance of flavors. Each fragrance enhances its image, sound, and feeling. Every evening is accompanied by the rich smell of fire, charred wood, and saccharine marshmallow goo. My grandpa’s cigar-soaked essence trails him throughout the property, signifying his wise presence. The scent and taste of all the homemade foods everybody brings permeates the area. Each food represents a member of the community that forms each weekend we spend there. The earthy grilled vegetables, comforting macaroni and cheese, and smoky seasoned meats come together, inviting everybody to the pavilion to feast. My human body, similarly to all others present, reacts to these effervescent cues, following their lead.
The greatest sensations of The Land arise with the touch of nature. The glistening ponds, hosting lilypads, old koi fish, and young frogs, reflect the sun’s shameless smile, inviting me in. I find most comfort in water; the ponds have raised me to be that way since birth.
Nicole searching the Bear Claw Pond
The cool grasp holds me, rinsing me of all of the day’s iniquities, leaving me feeling ultimately refreshed. Even just the tiniest dip of my toes in the deep water can transform my mood. Feet grazing the surface, fingers strumming the heavy strings so lightly, our voices singing so smoothly to each other, the ukulele glowed with the lovely aura we gave it. The wall of pines surrounding the pond held our moment, allowing the emotion to resound, preserving its affinity. Communication with nature is like no other. My curiosity, muscles, and necessity allow me to touch nature. My focus and appreciation allow the natural world to touch me, teach me, and guide me.
The Land has a certain tranquility that absorbs all who allow it to. The simple touch of the water, the sound of the bees and flowers kissing one another, and experiencing the souls that surround me, pull me into a state of euphoric happiness that has never been replicated. These 67 acres of property are truly responsible for molding my outlook on God’s world, majesty, and the life I continue to create each day.