On That Fall Day
-Emily Edelenbos
-Emily Edelenbos
It was November first of last year when I was kayaking on the Susquehanna River in my little yellow kayak. The trees were clad in their finest fall-colored leaves and the cool wind was gently brushing past my cheeks and rustling through my hair. It was at this moment that I felt comfort in my beliefs. When I was younger, I was always worried about my disinterest in church and traditional religious practices. My entire family is Christian, so my lack of religious affiliation had always disconcerted me. However, on that fall day last year, as I felt the wind on my cheeks, and as I witnessed the processes and cycles of nature commence all around me, I was able to feel comfort in nature. I felt very connected to all of the processes going on around me, and was glad to feel like I was part of the grand scheme that our planet Earth is the host of. The “gap” I had previously felt with my lack of beliefs had been filled with nature and all of its wonders. The belief in nature that I identify with is one in which I am able to be close with my spirituality and with God, just not in a traditional way.
I believe that God exists in everyone and everything in nature. I also believe that my temple is not in a church or in any building of worship, but in the beautiful mountains, rivers, or any place of solace that I come across in nature.
Your writing is genuinely evocative; it does a great job of painting a picture for the reader. I would just say that "commence" could be replaced with "go on" or "continue" since nature's cycle never really starts or stops.
ReplyDeleteAwesome piece though!
I agree with Moshe, the details of this essay are what makes it the most interesting. As a reader, I could imagine myself in the kayak with the wind in my own hair, and really feel connected with how you were feeling at the time.
ReplyDeleteYour story really pulled me in. Nature is a wonderful thing, and just seeing it can inspire. It is proof for many people that God exists. i really couldn't find any problems with your essay; it was clear and concise and very engaging. Keep it up!
ReplyDeletei agree with what Moshe said as well. i had a image painted in my mind even when you were reading. no complaints here, although i would have loved to read more of your writing for the image it leaves in my head
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