Get Acquainted

I’m not sure how it is for everyone else, but for me, nature is like a friend, a mother, a grandmother, or maybe an acquaintance; it’s hard to put into words exactly, but hopefully you get the idea. When I’m out meandering through a grassland, savanna, woodland, or forest, it feels like a warm embrace. Stepping into an ecosystem is like walking into the home of a close friend. I’m greeted by birds calling from the trees, and insects playing their music among the vegetation. Plants seem to reach out and say, Welcome, friend, come on in.

I recognize familiar faces and feel delighted when I meet someone new. Hi, Echinacea purpurea! I first learned your name in my mother’s garden many years ago. You're still as beautiful as ever. Just recently, I was introduced to your cousin, Echinacea pallida a bit homely in comparison, but beautiful in her own right. I’ve met with many friends recently, Parthinium hispidum, what lovely leaves you have, large and scratchy, your flowers look like candy. Asclepias viridis, I love the purple stripes on your fruit. I wish I had your sense of style. Stylosanthes biflora, you're so little but so loud. Shizacryum scoparium, you're a solid and constant friend, your blades burst like showy blue fireworks.

Part of me feels bad as I walk through, sometimes, a plant crumples underfoot. But I remind myself they’re resilient. They’re used to this sort of thing. Like a good guest, I try to acquaint myself with everyone. And when I meet a stranger, I’ll often ask a friend for an introduction. I’m terrible with names, but I always recognize faces. I feel bad when I can’t remember a name, but it comes with time, and the plants don’t seem to mind.

Nature’s not just a great host, she’s there when you need her most. When I’m frustrated, anxious, pissed off, sad, or depressed, she’s there, ready to embrace me. And when I’m happy, joyful, and excited, she’s there too, ready to show me all of her wonders. I deeply admire her; she gives so freely with no expectation of anything in return, and complains not when taken advantage of.

I could tell you more about her, but to truly know her, you have to meet her where she is. Sit with her in the cool of the morning, in the hot, arid noon. Be still with her in silence, and let yourself be enveloped in her cacophony of life. Wander among her blooms, and stay with her in the quiet of decay.

Watch her as she crawls along a leaf or twitters from branch to branch. Notice the way she moves, breathes, waits. She has wisdom to share, and empathy too, if only you give her time and attention.

Get acquainted. She’s waiting with open arms.

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If you enjoy reading nature Substacks, I encourage you to check out Dr. Bob Leonard at Cedar Creek Nature Notes, Dian Porter at My Gaia, Larry Stone at Listening to the Land, Al Batt at Naturally Al Batt, and Dr. Estes at GALAS: Natural History of a Southern Conservationist

You won’t be disappointed!

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“Love of nature is the spring from which stewardship flows. In contrast, disconnection from nature leads to apathy in the face of all environmental problems. A useful way to define love is sustained, compassionate attention. Paying sincere attention to, and developing a rich curiosity about others helps us to be kind. This attention takes work and improves with practice.” - John Muir Laws