An Eco-Conscious Calling
My teenage daughter wants to be an environmental scientist and save the polar bears. She loves all the little animals, asks me to plant pollinator flowers in our garden, hangs bird feeders outside her window, and made us switch our food storage containers from plastic to glass.
A Sudden Plunge into Earth Hour
So, it came as no surprise tonight when she bolted into the room, announced that it was International Earth Hour, and ran about the house, closing laptops, silencing cell phones, and turning out lights. Luckily, my movie had just ended.
We lit candles and sat by the propane fireplace—guessing propane didn’t count as electricity—playing Uno. When the game ended, we bundled up in coats and blankets and ventured outdoors to take a nighttime stroll: past the goats braying in the grass, past our black cat, Dragon zig-zagging underfoot.
Stargazing on the Farm.
The Virginia farmland air was crisp and clean, carrying the rich, earthy scent of early Spring. The bright waxing gibbous moon hung like a giant crystal orb overhead, while thousands of white stars quietly shimmered in homage.
As we walked, my daughter explained that while the moon looks vibrant and alive from Earth, it is in fact a dead rock reflecting the light of the sun—and that if the sun were to explode, we wouldn’t know for a full eight minutes! These are probably facts she learned in elementary school, but third grade was a long time ago for me, and I had forgotten them.
Wonders of the Night Sky
We made our way back to the house together, breathing in the cool night air and feeling, for a moment, the enormity of the great expansive universe in which we exist.
I am always amazed at the wonders of our beautiful Earth, and the way it all works in perfect harmony to sustain us. Earth Hour was created to remind us of our stewardship over this remarkable planet. As we welcome the new life of spring this Easter season, may we be a little more mindful of the way we care for this beautiful place we call home.
Finding Peace in the Unplugged
In truth, I wasn’t excited about Earth Hour. It meant slowing down, and I prefer to stay busy, but stepping away from electronics and the constant motion of daily life—and reconnecting with family and with the land around us—brought a feeling of deep peace and contentment. How grateful I am for young people, who are sometimes wise beyond their years. Grateful for firelit games, for a breathtaking night sky, and for the stillness of a star-filled Appalachian night.
Author’s Note: Written from our small Virginia farm, this reflection captures a moment of stillness shared between parent, child, and the land around us.
