My eyes flutter open, and I register the chilled air around me. I glance down at my hands to find that they have a blue hue to them. In fact, everything around me has a bright blue tinge about it. It strikes me that I am suspended in a hammock. It all comes back to me. I am in my hammock in the woods behind my grandparent’s farmhouse. I sit up, pulling apart the top of the hammock. My eyes scan the area as I take in a deep breath of the refreshingly crisp morning air. When I exhale, my breath condenses in front of me, momentarily blocking my view of the field. When I can see again, I notice a deer with her fawn out in the middle of the field. Her eyes cautiously scour the surrounding area for threats; she wants to keep her fawn safe from harm.
My head snaps in the other direction when I hear shuffling. My usual immediate reaction of fear takes over my body, but in no time I realize that it is my sleeping cousin shifting in his hammock only a couple trees over. The cold air gets to me, and I decide to get as far into my sleeping bag as I can while still being able to see. Moving proves difficult while one is suspended in air in a very narrow space. I slowly am able to slide my body into the sleeping bag, until only my eyes peer out. My nose quickly warms inside the insulated bag.
I gaze up at the trees, in awe of their height and numerous branches. The sun filters through the leafless limbs and sprinkles across my face. I take in the brittle look that some of the branches have. They look old and I can’t help but think that if I were climbing this tree, like I used to when I was younger, I would have to avoid the frail branches. It amazes me that on one tree there is such a large contrast between the aged and fragile branches and the young, solid ones. I find one branch that looks especially healthy, even without any leaves.
Suddenly, my cousin’s head pops out of his hammock and he says, with excitement gleaming in his eyes, “Do you want to go on an adventure?”
My feet slowly sink into the mud as I place each foot. I move as quickly as possible, but it seems that nothing can remedy the suction that captures my feet with each step I take. I’ve never been to this part of the farm, and for some reason I’m trusting Carter, my younger cousin, to lead me through this foreign land. My eyes search my surroundings for something familiar, but I’m met only with an exotic marshy forest.
When Carter stops to tie his shoes, I boldly pass him. I feel so brave and confident. I focus on my feet, because I am known for tripping. I stealthily avoid the visible tree roots and the many puddles. I am focused on the way my feet look while I’m walking. I watch how my feet blur as I take each step when I’m focused on the ground, but when I focus on my feet, it is the ground that blurs. Its definitely an interesting discovery.
I feel so exuberant as I take in the ground around me, but I’m not quite ready to look up, in fear of tripping. I walk a moment more until suddenly Carter grabs my arm. I look at him, panicked, and wondering if he’s hurt. He looks fine, so I turn to look at what he is gazing at in front of me. When I turn, I see something I wasn’t expecting. I see a gigantic elk standing right there. If I had taken even one more step, the beast would have seen me for sure. I can’t help but feel scared; I need to be more aware of my surroundings. I mean, this elk probably belongs to the elk farm across the street, so he’s domesticated, but it could have been anything there, and I wouldn’t have noticed.
Once I’m over my my initial awe, I begin to take in the details of this majestic beast. His breath condenses in the air and his chest moves in and out with each breath. His antlers sprout from his head like two proud trees, with solid and healthy branches. He has a wonderful reddish and chestnut coat. His eyes are curious and cautious when they meet mine. I gaze into his eyes, and I know he still has a great deal left to do with his life. He stands tall in a clearing surrounded by grass and flowers.
My heart pounds away in my chest, and I look at my cousin. I find that he has a facial expression that conveys every emotion that I feel: awe, wonder, with a slight edge of fear. In this moment I feel so alive; like I was meant to be here this morning. I’m surprised by myself. Usually I shy away from anything that could possibly lead to danger, but still, I stand here. I think of my Grandpa’s quote, “If you’re not living on the edge, then you’re taking up too much room.”
I lean forward to relieve my back foot of having to carry my weight, and when I move, I break a stick. The sudden noise sends the elk into a panicked frenzy. He makes it out of the clearing and out of sight in no time. Carter and I don’t say anything for a long moment. We just stand there, in the presence of nature, and each other. Finally he just looks at me and his eyes tell me everything. This is his calling. He absolutely loves it here on the farm. He loves the nature. He loves the adventure. He especially loves the unexpected things that can make your day.
Although the world sleeps around me, I can’t seem to close my eyes. I stare at the stars through the skylights in the roof. I keep picturing the elk we saw in the clearing today, and the thrill it gave me. I let my mind wander to the moment of awe-filled silence Carter and I had in the woods. The stars twinkle just a little brighter. The crickets chirp just a little louder.
I can’t help but think that this farm has been my childhood fairy tale. Every moment spent here has been worth remembering. Today was just one example of the many chapters in my story on the farm. I continue to think about the years of adventures that I have under my belt. My eyes start to droop as I remember the afternoons spent playing hay bale tag, or driving around with my grandpa in the tractors. In my fairy tale, there didn’t have to be a knight in shining armor, or a prince charming. No, all I need is my family that appreciates the same adventures, and that takes time to remember the small moments that have big impacts on who we are, and how we look at this world. This is a fictional piece written using a real setting and real people as characters. I sent this piece to the local creative writing institution. They had asked for submissions for an anthology of creative pieces that they want to put together and publish. I just got it back; they asked me to do a final revision before they publish my piece in their anthology! Send me any suggestions!
