Two weeks from today, we celebrate Earth Day. How will we celebrate? And will we celebrate? Will we spend the day working for Earth justice and committing to a lifetime of Earth care?
Shall we treat Earth Day like a special holiday, an important anniversary, a family reunion, a birthday of sorts? Shall we spend the day in prayer, in relationship, in conversation? In commemoration and reflection? Shall we experience the day in ritual with spoken vows, or the renewal of vows?
Will we spend the day outside? Shall we visit our special place by the pines, near the hills, in the water … Will we remember and reflect on our life together? And dream our future …
I have this urge to pledge … to promise … to commit. I have this urge to simply acknowledge the Earth. To start by writing a thank you note, a love letter, an apology, a simple hello. I want to write vows. And then I’ll speak and breathe my promises to the grass … I promise … I promise … I promise …
In reality, I have spent every moment of my life with Earth, in relationship. But have I really lived my life with Earth? In partnership? In loving relationship? Is my heart in this relationship every single day? Am I giving the love I’m receiving?
Honestly, I’ve not always marked Earth Day on my calendar or celebrated or even acknowledged this day. This year, though, I’m reimagining and rethinking of Earth Day as a day to remember and acknowledge and celebrate. I’m thinking of it like a wedding anniversary I can’t forget! A day to remember our precious time together, the Earth and me. A wedding happens once, but the marriage is happening every moment of every day over the years—and forever if we’re lucky …
We’ve got two weeks until Earth Day. Let’s plan something special. Let’s recommit. Renew our vows. Let’s celebrate our lives together!
—Angie Pierce Jennings, Prairiewoods hosted groups and hospitality coordinator