It's easy to get lost in nature, to let your mind wander down the rapids of a stream, tumbling through the current in carefree exhilaration until that moment you are released into a tranquil pool down river. As you float calmly in its cooling waters, you take inventory and ensure there was no harm done to your old bones on the journey here. Feeling complete, and free, you relax. A world closed since childhood opens before you.

Here imagination stretches awake from its long adult sleep. Standing in the pooling water, feet unsteadily seek purchase amongst the hidden stones of the rivers bed. Slipping off one rock, a foot catches in the hidden folds of an ever changing unseen landscape, sending shivers of pain up your leg. But you don't mind. It is a pain filled with glorious childhood memories of days spent running in and out other rivers, in different places, which were exactly the same as this. And those were happy times. Those were the times when there was no other world but the one just in front of you. Nothing outside of your view existed nor mattered. Life's greatest mysteries where those hidden behind a fallen tree or in the shadows of a giant rock.

Gazing up into a canopy that mutes the days blue sky, there are only shades of green above. They move gently to the faint music of mid summers shallow breeze. You remember that up there exists a separate world, one where fairies live in secret cities. On islands made of errant shafts of bright yellow light, little leaf villages materialize. Straining just a bit, you can see the villagers dancing and playing at whimsy games of frolic. The laughter of their joy floats down, filling your nose with the smell of tree dust that enchants your mind. There is an ever loudening call for you to join them, to find a tree and climb into their world. That was how you did it then. Then, there was no tree too barren to scale, no boulder too sheer to climb, no cave too dark to explore and no chasm too wide to vault. Temptation calls and you lean forward to the opposite shore. But something holds you back. For today, you are fine with the memory and the invitation. Today just knowing that the adventure still exists, the other worlds still invite, and the fantasy still lives, is enough.

Another sound, from the other shore, calls for your attention. It is a sound from today, of a loved one who has spent years building other memories with you, or a young voice whose still unfolding dreams and adventures are now more important than yours. Looking behind you, the people of this world, a world shared with a love of a life lived fully, call. Stepping towards them you take one final look up and thank the memories for allowing you the visit. On the shore, a hand is extended. Grabbing it completes the connection with today. As it pulls you up shivers of happiness course up your arm. You are home - with the ones you love - and life is good.