Have you been up close to a grizzly bear? No, not at the zoo. We were moving from Missoula, Montana; I was about four years old, and we had to travel through a portion of Glacier National Park. Dad noticed the cars slowing in front of us and announced there must be some wildlife close. As we approached, vehicles pulled off the side of the road, and others slowly tried to maneuver through the car-littered road. Dad stopped the truck abruptly as grizzly bears were meandering through the traffic, looking for food. They magnificently stood on their hind legs, paws resting on the vehicle and pressing their snouts against the windows to get a closer look inside. As they approached our truck, I stood in the middle of the bench seat but began inching my way into Dad’s lap. I was petrified. I wanted to scream as any young child would feel the urge to do, but Dad whispered, “Sit still; don’t make any loud noise or big movements to scare the bear.” Scare the bear! It was me that was scared! The bear couldn’t have been more than 4 feet away, thankfully with a truck door in between us. The bears were the conversation in our family for days to come.
That vivid encounter strengthened my respect for wildlife, especially those roaming freely in our state and national parks. From buffalo to antelope, rattlesnakes to mountain goats, and allegators to coyotes, all have tried to adapt to the changes in their environment – but extinction is looming from global warming, disease, habitat destruction, and pollution. So we need to do our part and live as clean and green as possible. Recycle and always pick up after yourself.
Through the many transfers, we found ourselves near the Gulf of Mexico coast – ocean air. It is an excellent location for outdoor activities, although the high humidity can be somewhat suffocating. And the fact that I have coarse curly hair makes the humidity a challenge. The love for fresh seafood was paramount for my parents—nothing like fresh shrimp right off the fishing boats. The only downside was deveining and shelling the crustaceans before we got to enjoy them.
Transferring to a new location can be a significant loss. The loss of friends, the loss of teachers we love, the doctors we trust, the home we cherish, threatening our comfort zone. We need to step out of our box, face the new changes with open arms and look for the positive in each situation. As I approach changes, I look for the challenge in the new and remind myself to have an attitude of gratitude.