InSpiritry

Celebrate the Earth!

 

 

   Forty years ago today, millions of Americans gathered in huge and glorious celebrations across the country to say: We Care about the Earth.  It was a monumental event that by year’s end led to the establishment of the EPA, and ultimately the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act and the wise notion that, as stewards of our natural world, we can’t let profit come before the precious blessing of the Earth.

 

   This week as I watched the PBS special, The History of Earth Day, I was reminded of one very special early Earth Day celebration—

 

   It took place in 1978, on an April Saturday, in an East Texas field of tiny blue and white and yellow wildflowers. Though evening thunderstorms were forecast, the sky was sunny with puffs of clouds that bumped and mounded, creating one imaginary scene after another. A breeze swelled every now and then, pressing the tall wild grass into waves. On the edge of the field, the trunks of soaring pine trees leaned with its gusts. A iron-stone farmhouse stood watch, and a tree-lined pond nearby mirrored the whole scene. The air smelled of growth: grass and pollen and rosin.  Ivy and daisy strands decorated the scene. A semi-circle of yellow folding chairs set into a patch of mowed grass waited patiently.

   By mid-afternoon, people of all ages – children, college students, adults, seniors –  began to arrive, some bringing homemade pies; some pans of food; others ribboned gifts; one group, cake tiers and loose daisies. Laughing, hugging, already wiping tears, they made their way to be seated in the chairs as the wind lifted hems and hair. The music of James Taylor, Carole King, Jackson Browne, the Carpenters and John Denver lent a musical backdrop. Finally, the most important guests – mothers, fathers, grandmothers – were escorted to the front row by boys just becoming young men. In the quiet of the moment, many thought of a father lost to cancer.

   From a speaker rose the bright orchestration of a familiar tune: Morning Has Broken! From the farmhouse, two teenaged sisters in floral dresses and two brothers in coats and ties took their places near a man standing in front of the chairs. All turned to watch as a couple – she, blonde with green eyes; he, with dark hair and deep eyes – made their way to the arch of daisies. She was wearing an ecru cotton lace dress and simple veil; he, a suit bought for the occasion.

   In the next few minutes, the gathered celebrants sang and prayed and listened as the minister spoke of Nature and God and possibility and hope. Exchanging simple bands made by a stepfather from gold melted down from class rings and an antique pin, the couple promised everything two young people can promise: to try…but to always try together. When the vows were done, and the music rose again, the couple turned to be introduced. Smiling, they took a few steps forward then shouted with joy and ran up the aisle between the chairs and out into the wildflowers where he swung her wide, her veil flying in the breeze.

The rest of the afternoon was a celebration of life in East Texas: barbeque cooked on the outdoor pit (including Pittsburg hotlinks!), homemade beans, potato salad and pies, wedding cake, punch and, yes, Lone Star beer. The day became a sort of reunion of the people who would “family” the couple. Guests ate and talked and danced and hugged and remembered.

   Every year since, the couple has celebrated this date, and every day in between they have kept their promise to try! Older now and still together, today, on the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day, Mike and I invite you  to take a few moments and find a natural space to say a prayer, sing your favorite song, speak your heart to those you love, and join us as we celebrate our 32nd wedding anniversary and the beauty of God’s Love and Planet Earth!

 

When We Celebrate Life, We Can Be a Blessing! 

Join the InSpiritry Conversation about this post!  What is your most memorable Earth Day memory?

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This entry was posted on Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 at 12:17 pm and is filed under Anne McCrady, Celebration, Environment, Family, Holidays, InSpiration, InSpiritry, Nature, Spiritual. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.