I promise those who walked the Earth before me and those who will walk the Earth after me that I will not stand by and let nature slip through my fingers.

I do wish to contribute as much as I can, maybe even start a ripple effect, where other people will start taking action too and inspire other people too.

I know I need to write this to you, and I don’t want to because it makes me so sad. I have been desperately avoiding my feelings about climate change, for many years, but especially and with greater intensity every year since you were born.

Love, help and build a future in unison that benefits and protects the whole world.

My mistake was thinking I needed to give you more to be a good Mom. Recently your aunt asked me what my favorite toy was growing up. I gulped, I didn’t have one- it was the outdoors, sliding down a ravine of leaves with my Dad, skiing and camping. Today is October 12th, 2021 and I am still going to be giving you a lot, it’s going to look a little different – love, experiences, education and a healthy planet.

Our planet is crazy. I pledge to be an innovator to make sustainable living real.

I also hope that your previous prayers have been answered. The way you wanted to create green jobs for your fellow city dwellers have been fulfilled already.

I hope that you all can enjoy the Smokey Mountains in your lifetime too and that they look how they did back in 2017 when I saw them.