Life (Jessalyn's view)

Beauty in the bushes

 Em unpacked her things that evening while I worked on a new sewing project. Taylor quietly listened to music and read her bible. Soon Emery was done and I explained the rules of camp and how everything was going to work. I explained that Taylor and I were going to homeschool her, and she wase going to have counselling sessions with either myself or Taylor everyday. We were also going to be doing bible sessions everyday together. She sat there attentively listening to every word I spoke.  

 The next morning, I woke up at 7:00 before Taylor and Emery. I went downstairs and got something to eat. I looked outside at the sun just barely starting to come up. After a little while I went upstairs to the bathroom and started to get ready to go running. At around 7:30, Emery walked into the bathroom, still looking a bit sleepy.

 "Good morning Em," I greeted her.

"Good morning Jess," she replied, yawning, "I'm going to go for run in a bit."

"I was going to that now too, do you want to come with me?" I asked.

"Sure, I guess," she answered.

We quickly got ready and headed outside to go for a run. I ran beside Emery as we ran down the road through camp. It was a perfect day for a run. Warmer for an early September morning. I watched the sunrise, beautifully changing the sky from night to morning. This is my happy place. Outside, in nature with the sun slowly peaking over the horizon. I wished it would last forever.  

We ran along the path heading towards teepee village. The beautiful trees had started turning colors which I admired as I passed by. The sun poked through the cracks between the leaves. I slowed to a stop. 

"Why are we stopping Jess?" Emery asked.

"I like to stop and admire the beauty that is right around us. It reminds me that there is beauty in everything that God has created, that includes you, me and all those nasty people who try to tear us down." I replied. I looked at her and could tell what she was feeling. She was remembering and thinking about what had happened. I wanted for her to see that she is so beautiful, inside and out. 

"Thank you Jess," Emery said as we started running again.

"For what?" I asked.

"For showing me that I have beauty inside of me. Now I just need to find it."