When I was a child, the few hectares of forest and olive trees seemed an immense playground that looked too far to be crossed. An immensity of insects, plants, old trees and fast rabbits were my playground. A place where I can play any superhero and pretend to live on the trees. Hundreds of hours spent, under the heat of long summers and short winters, where time was abundant, and the sun was moving slow, almost hard to perceive.
I got a great childhood, not a perfect one, but full of freedom and chances to discover this world. One that I felt was growing, although somehow I managed to catch up with. It was never perfect, but it was full of family, friends, time and welcomed solitude.
It is funny how some details are crystal clear, like my grandpa opening the door or my grandma bringing gorgeous dishes to the table. Those times make one aware, that happiness is subtle, and we normally realised that we were happy, only years or even decades later.
I am not sure how much important our childhood is, to our views, to our character, even to our happiness. According to scientists, it matters very much, specially the first three years. In any case, I summarize my childhood with one word: gratefulness. This was a time where I received immense amount of unconditional love, a world that is exciting, open and diverse. It does not seem to be many limits, even if the sea look a few miles ahead, I know I could get there and almost wherever I want.
Falling was an option, even being hit by car... luckily I make it through those and some accidents in one piece, and to my knowledge, my brain is functioning. Life is and was this series of joy and terrible moments. The infinite nights in summer, with music and games. The magical Christmas evenings, the gorgeous meals and the mysteries of all types of tales and fiction... But also the lows, by seeing our dogs and familiars passing away...a clear sign that every instant is precious, and any moment should not be taken from granted.
Even in the hardest times, I think life is quite awesome. There are some things that suck, like being a thousand miles from most of your family, experiencing Alzheimer at a close distance and other unexpected surprises... but still, there is an incredible wonder. I spend most of my free time in nature, with friends or with books. They are the sources of beauty and hope I got to move excited through the passage of life. Accepting ageing and decay in silence, living with curiosity and excitement, and leaving nothing but ashes to my graveyard, sounds like a plan.
In the in lack of use of conquering mountains, in the indomitable fate of the human species to self-destruction, in the brevity of life and the painful melting of glaciers and biodiversity heritage, I hold, decided that every step to make this place safer, prettier and just, is worth a life being lived.
Gratefulness was the title of a childhood, common and even moderate on material terms, but rich with love and freedom. Those commodities we will never be able to price fairly, while we stay distracted by the wrong stories of competition, growth and separation. A world that is so angry to a better story of purpose and happiness, must be served diligently. May the story begin.
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