1 Our Earth

Inspired by “An Offering” in Braiding Sweetgrass

Alexis rolled over in her bed to find her family not in the cabin bedroom. She could smell the sweet smell of pancakes and coffee rolling in from the kitchen. Eagerly, she woke up, rolled out of bed, and walked to the kitchen. She was on her annual camping trip with her family, her favorite time of the year.

As she entered the kitchen, she saw her family. Her mother was over the stove flipping pancakes of all assortments, chocolate chip for her brother and sister, and blueberry for her. Her father was brewing coffee, and her brother and sister were sitting at the kitchen table with grins from ear to ear. The sound of the coffee brewing was her favorite sound. Once the coffee pot beeped the coffee was done brewing and she knew what time it was.

Her family all stood up from the round wooden kitchen table and exited the cabin. They walked towards the lake talking about their plan of canoeing across the lake together. “I call the blue canoe,” her brother shouted, and her family giggled. Walking to the lake, she could hear the sound of the waves crashing upon the rocks and feel the dewy grass between her toes. She never wanted to leave the cabin; it was her favorite place on Earth.

Without a thought her family sat at the end of the dock with their legs dangling towards the water. She could feel the warm sun beaming onto her back. Her father began to pour the coffee into the lake, as her family watched silently with wide eyes. “We thank you earth, for all you do for us,” her father gently said. They sat quietly for a minute watching the brown coffee disappear into the warm blue lake.

Alexis has always been taught to respect the Earth. Her mother has always taught her “leave this place better than you found it.” So, her family never litters and often makes time to pick up trash outside to save their Earth.

On the way back to the cabin, Alexis curiously asked her parents “why do we pour the coffee into the lake?” Her father replied, “It’s an offering, a way to show respect and to give back to our Earth, our Earth does so much for us so it’s the least that we can do.” This ceremony of respect was so special to her family, and it got Alexis wondering what more she can offer to this Earth.

Alexis made a promise to herself to always show respect to the Earth. She promised to always clean up trash, never litter, and to always offer back to the Earth. Alexis was so thankful that her parents taught her to respect the Earth, and she promised herself to someday teach her children how to respect the Earth with kindness as well.