Ytterjärna, Sweden. Seen, felt, understood: From the life of Aleksandra Domanska, Garden Coordinator at the Youth Initiative Program in Sweden.
It was a very dry spring. Almost no rain. The sun was shining nearly every day. The day is endless here up north at that time of the year. The opposite of winter. The light is bringing us back to life and allows us to spend long days in nature.
On one of the few rainy days the drops were refreshing. They fell softly onto the ground for hours. And the soil was happily drinking. The air smelled differently. All shades of green were more intense than before, amplifying the beauty of the park even more.
I was alone. The birds were quiet; there were no other walkers; no signs of animals—but I did not feel lonely. Rather, I felt in that moment a very strong belonging to the place. Almost like I was seeing it for the very first time. Seeing the care of many hands who had planted trees, made paths, created water systems. Observing the positive influence of humans on nature, without violence, but with care.
I walked for hours in the park, which I thought I knew so well, discovering new plants and patterns. I came back home completely wet, but with a warm heart. Feeling hope and peace thinking that there are more places like Ytterjärna in the world, where people live in balance with nature.
Translation Paula Boslau
Image Privat
