Friday, January 12, 2007

The Agreement Forest

I had about an hour to spare the other day and so I stopped by the agreement forest for a walk that I had been meaning to take for some time now. I had resigned myself to take this walk in the upcoming spring since I gave up all hope for going there before the bitter winter weather but, thanks to greenhouse gas emissions, I was able to take it earlier than expected. I suppose global warming does have its advantages! (Please note my sarcasm!)

It had been a few years since I had been in this particular forest. The last time I was there was when my friend and I took all five of our kids for a winters walk. Returning to this area brought back a lot of memories. The snow ball fight, the running through the trails, the rosy red cheeks, strolling down the boardwalk through the marsh, the sounds of laughter… all great memories! The kids were a lot smaller back then. Now, one of my children is in college, one of my friend's children is soon heading to college and the other three are still in school.

Now that I look back, I don’t think I took my two children out onto the trails and into the forests enough. I regret not doing so because, as a result, I never really exposed them enough in order to love and appreciate the beautiful outdoors like I do. I think that in today’s society, children spend way too much time on computers, video games and other electronic gadgets. Our society is turning out children whose reality extends no further than their LCD computer monitor or plasma television… How unfortunate!

I do believe that, as parents we have to take the responsibility for this. I have no doubt that, had I taken the time to do so, maybe my children would have been more aware of God’s creations. Looking back, I just wish that I did a better job in introducing them to the great outdoors. Unfortunately, we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle that society has to offer that we let valuable opportunities to walk across God's green earth slip through our fingers.

It may be too late to change the grain of their lifestyles but not too late to at least give it a shot every once in awhile by trying to get them to slow down and spend some quality time outdoors with me so that they can see for themselves what they are missing .

Now that’s a good New Year’s resolution!

13 comments:

Billy said...

I totally agree. I remember so much of my youth being outdoors playing and exploring. I want my kid to have the same strong, vivid memories for himself.

Jocelyn said...

Your words sound like great wisdom to this mother of a three- and six-year-old. I'll keep leading us all out of doors for certain.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the advice. My boy is 2. We've taken him camping once, and had a blast. And the more he appreciates the outdoors, the better.

Marie-Hélène Raletz said...

I don't think your should feel so much guilt about this. My parents did nothing to introduce me to the great outdoors, and yet, although I concede to being guilty of over-computerisation, my heart belongs to Nature.
Marie

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

Another insightful and challenging post. However, you didn't explain why it is called the Agreement Forest.

Lone Grey Squirrel said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lee said...

interesting reading! thanks for visiting.

Dave said...

Hi abbagirl... I want the same for my kids as my parents wanted the same for me and their parents before them...Unfortunately, the impact of technology has certainly had an impact on the way we, as well as our kids, do things. Thanks for your comment.

Hi Jocelyn!.. Pleased to meet you. Stay outdoors and enjoy outdoors! Your kids will love it, I am sure. :-)

Hi D.D.!... Nice to meet you! Some of our best memories were while camping as well. Thanks for your comment!

Hi Marie!...You have a good point there... We can only introduce our children to the great outdoors but the decision to remain there is up to them, Take care!

Hi LGS!...Sorry for that oversight. Sometimes I forget that I am writing to people all around the world. Agreement forests are a result of the reforestation of wastelands carried out by various groups working together for the same cause. I hope that helps. If you are interested, I could provide further info. Take Care!

Lee... Nice to meet you!

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

Thanks. Nice name for forest.

Janice Thomson said...

Such a meaningful post Dave...I never had a computer till the kids were long gone so fortunately they have a good understanding, respect and love for Nature...I hope they teach it to their own children as well...if not this Grandma is going to have to find her hiking boots again LOL

Sarah said...

Thanks for the comment! It is hard to imagine that our whole lives are contained in that one dash. I hope to turn my "dash" into an exclamation point...

I really enjoyed your post. I didn't quite realize it back then, but now I am very grateful that my parents never let me watch Saturday morning cartoons for more than an hour and always encouraged me to go play outside :)

Becky Wolfe said...

If only all parents held this attitude. The world would DEFINITELY be a better place. But, like you say, its never too late to start. You can develop a love for the great outdoors at any age.

Glad you explained what an Agreement Forest is cuz I don't think we have them out west here.

Dave said...

Hi Janice!... As you, it is my goal to work on the grandkids as well! :-)

Hi Daddy's Girl!...Your parents are much like mine in that they never allowed me to watch too many cartoons! Thanks for your comment! :-)

Hi Becky!... Yes, I agree, it is never too late to start. Regarding Agreement Forest... I just thought that is was Canada Wide ... interesting! Take care!