“The quiet wisdom of nature does not try to mislead you like the landscape of the city does, with billboards and ads everywhere. It doesn’t make you feel like you have to conform to any image. It’s just there and it accepts everyone.” (excerpt from the book “Last Child in the Woods” by Richard Louv)

Rolling around somewhere in my head is the idea that Grady (and Mason) will learn the most from Nature. Mother Nature. I am convinced of it. While I have no scientific proof that this it is so, nor have I done any research yet something inside me has proven it so.  I would love to someday develop a theory, method and proven results for nature therapy for children with Down Syndrome. Channeling all sensory areas while discovering the outdoors.

Spring is near and although we just saw it peak through this week, I am sure it will be back. We are waiting.

” Each year is a new surprise to us. We find that we have virtually forgotten the note of each bird, and when we hear it again, it is remembered like a dream, reminding us of a previous state of existence… The voice of nature is always encouraging.”

Henry David Throeau

Back to that nature therapy idea, putting Grady near the rushing stream and placing him on the smooth river stone was a stunning sight for me to see. He gently picked up the stones and ran them through his fingers, inspecting and experiencing.  I saw something different in his eyes, perhaps it was awakened senses that welcomed the breeze with a smile, it was oh so right.

I have no scientific proof of this either, but grilled cheese tastes better when eaten by a river 😉

Raising Mason up to embrace the outdoor is equally as important in our lives. It always has since he was just a tiny baby.  He marvels at the creatures around him and it is teaching him life lessons not found in a book. When reaching down for salamander he wanted the different one, he wanted the brighter one, the longer one, the shorter one. Reaching down for the salamander , unbeknownst to him he was reaching for acceptance.

This is one of those photos, a mamma can only dream about.  I can tell you it brings tears to my eyes when I see Mason’s hand around Grady and seated right beside the clear water and great big blue sky. Fishing buddies for sure.

I grew up in a private hunting club, surrounded by three lakes and acres upon acres of land. I grew up building forts, making my own fishing pole and catching a million salamander and collecting them all in a big bucket. I aspired to be an entomologist my whole youth, picking rocks with my Dad was actually fun and climbing trees was my greatest skill. We had only but a few channels of TV and the only time we watched it was Saturday Morning’s, I never owned a video game and when I hear a bell ringing even to this day I sigh, because it reminded me of the feeling that it was time to come inside for dinner.

One of the greatest things about Nature, is that you can’t deny God’s existence no matter the angle. He is all over the rythm, patterns, the air, the sun, the structure and cycles, the beauty and clarity that is found when embracing it.

I have a video to share with you in one my next posts, I visited the home where I grew up last spring, I made something to share with you my passion for the outdoors and give a glimpse into a my childhood home.  It is our dream to re-claim and buy that home where I grew up, God willing it will happen for our family someday. Stay tuned 😉