Golden Rays and Early Days

I sat up groggily, it was still dark outside. "Hmm" I groaned. As I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes I thought "Why can't I just get one full nights sleep?" I sat down again and rolled over, I knew I wouldn't be able to fall asleep again. I started just looking around the room, then I saw this painting of a sun. I thought "the sun, ah ha!" I hopped out of bed, no longer tired. As I got dressed and pulled on my shoes, a plan formed in my mind. I pulled on my sweatshirt and stepped outside into the Santa Ynez chill.

I hurried to the back of the main house, climbed the fence, and took off, running up the hill. There was a dirt road and a gate I could have used to get to my destination, but I was in a race against the light! Crunch, crunch, crunch went the dry grass as I trudged up the hill. "Uggh!" there were so many snake or gopher holes (hopefully gopher) making it hard to move quickly. "Uh oh, I"m going to miss it!" I thought dreadfully.

I thought back to yesterday when I had woken up too late and missed it. I had been disappointed and annoyed, but I had been a little glad because we had drove up the night before and had arrived late at night. I thought about this, and I knew I didn't want to miss it again. I could now just see myself at the top looking down on the green hills. "Uggh", I hoped I would make it on time. "Crunch, crunch, crunch" went the dry grass, pulling me back to the moment. "Is this really worth it" I wondered. "I hope it is", I mused.

Finally, I made it to the top, and just in time! The sun was just rising over mountains in the distance. I slowly walked over to the old well, never once taking my eyes off the sun. I sat on its rim, the wire mesh covering the well against my back. I watched the sun for what seemed like hours. It was so beautiful! Its pinkish, golden rays warmed my chilled face. "Definitely worth it!" I thought, glad I couldn't take my eyes off of it. As it started warming up, I started making my way down the hill. I was so hungry from my morning adventure. I started hopping down the hill, I had loved the sunrise so much!

I had always loved nature but I had never realized how big and beautiful it could be. I was so glad I had decided to get up this morning instead of sleeping in. I also now understood why people would choose to go often or live in nature. I totally understood now why people like John Muir would choose to live in it, appreciate it, and advocate for it. But now, I don't understand why more people don't advocate or live in nature. So, when I grow up I'm definitely going to live near, or in nature. Wow, I really love nature.

*****

Written by 11 year old, Calvin Conroy, a city boy on the edge of Griffith Park in Los Angeles, CA. Readers might wonder where his parents were this whole time? Sleeping.