Meredith's Memories

This week's nature walk led me through the enchanting neighborhoods surrounding TCU in Fort Worth, a refreshing departure from the usual confines of Neeley and my home. Seeking a change of scenery to clear my mind, I embraced the opportunity to explore the beauty around me. Inspired by our class discussions about nature's innate ability to forge connections, I decided to share this experience with a dear friend, eager to engage in a meaningful conversation as the semester drew to a close. As we strolled through the vibrant streets, the discussion ranged from her feelings about the concluding semester to plans for the upcoming winter break. This walk provided a meaningful escape from the hustle and bustle of life, and the nature around us became a sanctuary where conversation flows freely, and connections deepen. Having a deep appreciation for the breathtaking St. Louis fall, I was pleasantly surprised to discover echoes of that beauty in Texas. The streets were adorned with lea...

When embarking on this nature walk, it dawned on me that a break from the campus environment was long overdue. Moreover, I needed to go out and explore the outskirts of TCU. Well, what better way to savor a beautiful day than by sharing a stroll with one of your dearest friends? Thus, I called my friend Abby to see if she would accompany me on the walk, and she happily accepted. Our adventure began at the much-anticipated Starbucks for a quick, mood-boosting pick-me-up, setting the perfect tone for our stroll. Walking side-by-side, we discussed all the relevant topics as seniors—job prospects, travel plans, relationship updates, roommate status, and much more. She informed me that after graduation, she is moving across the country to pursue her dream job. While genuinely thrilled for her success, a sense of melancholy lingers, as I come to the startling realization that our paths will no longer intersect in the same place. This sentiment extends beyond Abby, encapsulating all of my fri...

The Trinity River in Fort Worth is undeniably my go-to destination for a walk. I have frequented the Trinity dozens of times, and it never fails to impress me. With every stroll along its path, I uncover something new, and therein lies the magic. Even in the seemingly ordinary, I find profound beauty, a realization that echoes our class discussions about appreciating the simplicity of nature. Thus, shifting our perspective from what nature does for us to what we can do for nature is essential. It's a call for society to focus on fostering respect and sustainability, ensuring that the intrinsic beauty of nature remains a timeless gift for generations to come. This afternoon nature walk on the Trinity consisted of clear skies and a gentle breeze. Wholeheartedly embracing what we’ve discussed in class, I found myself immersing in every detail of my surroundings, from the pebbles at my feet to the rustling leaves on the trees overhead. The radiant reflection of the fall trees on the wa...

Upon delving into Mary Oliver's enchanting poem "August," I found myself swept away by a rush of joy, accompanied by a poignant twinge of nostalgia. Since as far back as memory serves, my family's annual summer tradition for my birthday involved a pilgrimage to Eckert’s Farm in Belleville, Illinois, where we eagerly plucked peaches and blackberries. And this past August was no exception. We awakened predawn so that we could try and beat the blistering summer heat, where we drove from St. Louis to Belleville singing songs and playing car games to pass the time. We then would embark on the harvesting of a lifetime, filling basket after basket of peaches and blackberries galore. While picking, we always stop and have a competition to see who can find the juiciest and biggest piece of fruit upon which we can all indulge. These are some of my most cherished memories that I hold so deeply in my heart. Mary Oliver identifies a certain freedom of the fruit being untouched by ...

The whimsical and captivating poem “Hum” written by Mary Oliver immediately caught my attention, further enriching my knowledge and understanding of bees and their crucial role in the ecosystem. I was enthralled by the opening line of the poem “what is this dark hum among the roses”, describing the simple joy experienced by the bees and the domino effect their joy brings to the nature around them, like when sipping the flower’s nectar. As previously mentioned in the classroom and in blog posts, I absolutely love flowers and have a particular connection to roses, so I was hooked on this poem from the start. The simplicity of the bees’ existence is noted several times throughout the poem and encourages the reader to appreciate the beauty in simplicity. It reminds me to anchor myself in the moments of joy and tangible pleasures, appreciating the small things that lay the groundwork for life’s grandeur. Bees, although small and seemingly meaningless, play a powerful role in society through...

Mary Oliver’s captivating poem “When the Roses Speak, I Pay Attention” showcases the allure of the natural world and the simple yet profound aspects of existence. The poem first describes the idea of extravagance and encourages the reader that if they are “able to be extravagant”, then they will be “hugely and damply extravagant”. Extravagance can take a myriad of forms, through living life to the fullest while embracing abundance and richness. Contrastingly, Mary Oliver details the shedding of inhibitions and the letting go of material concerns in the pursuit of joy in the following phrase: “Then we will drop foil by foil to the ground. This is our unalterable task, and we do it joyfully.” (124) This “unalterable task” of dropping foil symbolizes a lifelong commitment to living life with abandonment. As humans, we are constantly evolving, changing, and growing. We shed our skins in different stages of life and experience a transformative metamorphosis in pivotal moments. As I soon ent...