How quickly we forget:
- That good friends, a healthy dose of nature and just the right amount of chocolate solve most of life’s problems
- That the bends in the road that force us to slow down are there for our viewing pleasure
- That friends can be family
- That the loch ness monster can also fly
- That the current pushes us along for a reason. Sometimes the answer is to simply go with it
- That scenic views are worth vigorous journeys
- That nothing is stronger than a good network of loving people
- That sharing laughter with those we love is beautiful
- That a warm crackling fire frightens away negative thoughts
- That waffles are a unifier
- That the sky is an ever-changing masterpiece we should take time to admire at least for a few minutes every day
- That we can jump higher than we think
- That if we overestimate our strength, we can tumble, spit in our scratches and try again
- That what feels good often is.
- That sometimes the most reassuring advice you can give someone is that your door is always open for everyone except robbers and murderers
- That a mentor can become a friend in a single night
- That ends can be starts, and goodbyes can be introductions
- That smoky hair, grungy nails and pockmarked legs are symbols of cleansing and renewal
- That not every great memory needs to be recorded in Dear Diary format
And then one evening takes our souls, shakes them awake, and leaves them to stretch and dance within us—it reignites brain synapses, and we remember—oh, the feeling of mud in our toes is delicious, oh, the scrapes in our hands are worth the pounding water on our feet, oh, there is something about nature that just unites us. We remember how bugs and dirt and moss all contribute to the sublime beauty that is the outdoors—a beauty that is best enjoyed with others who respect it, yet also know how to enjoy it.
I’ll be going back to the hostel at some point during the Twenty Days—whether with a few friends or by myself, I’ve yet to decide. But it seems like such an ideal place to retreat, reflect and leave renewed.
Yes, there is a section of my summer that requires title case capitalization, and it’s called the Twenty Days. From the day I return from Ghana to the day I depart for college is twenty days. Those twenty days are the ones in which my entire summer has to happen. I want days of far-reaching adventure and low-key locality. I want days during which my only obligation is to my friends and the forces that connect us. So if you have any suggestions for the Twenty Days, please let me know below. I’m hoping to fit a few humdingers in there.
In the meantime, I’m just hoping to keep afloat amidst my crazy schedule for this week. So far, so good. Wish me luck as the end approaches.
