Page 60 - The Muse 2021

How Has Nature Helped Me in This Time of Pandemic? by Ellie Whalen
8th Grade
Top Ten Finalist
Junior Orange Bowl’s 33rd Annual Creative Writing Competition
A quiet space and the night sky are all I needed. During March of 2020, it seemed like the world had closed. Everyone was confined to solitude. The novel virus, COVID-19, seemed to be consuming the world with fear and anxiety. School closed, I found it hard to stay at home staring at a computer screen all day. As time went on, the days all seemed to melt together. I found myself struggling to find happiness in a place where I was imprisoned. But one fateful night, I took a swim in my pool. Laying on my back, I saw the stars in all their glory. Bright, beautiful, and elegant. They twinkled like little pieces of glitter in a vast abyss. Nature saved me in the year of Covid.
Looking up into that night sky gave me a sense of comfort in a world that seemed to be spinning out of control. Each evening, as I became more observant, I saw that the stars seemed to form shapes and patterns. With my increased free time at home, I began researching and learning about Astronomy. My nights spent outside stargazing felt endless. I could point out any given constellation in the sky. I could even close my eyes and imagine all of the stars dancing around me. Despite the fact that the pandemic was a troubling period in my life, I was able to broaden my horizons and gain insight into Astronomy.
Nature helped me escape while maintaining social distance. I discovered that thinking in a peaceful environment was beneficial. I became more aware of my own inner self. Looking at stars became a metaphor for my life. I was connected to others in a constellation...my family. In Covid, our universe was just a constellation with the rest of the galaxy socially distanced from us. My family and I represent Cepheus. Cepheus is shaped like an outline of a house. We all lived in the same space, which served as a barrier between us and the rest of the world. While this has been a dark time, learning about astronomy during Covid has been the light in this dark time.
In conclusion, in the year of Covid, I found a safe haven in nature. I started reading and learning about Astronomy as my free time at home grew. I spent every night stargazing which helped me maintain social distancing while gaining a better understanding of myself. The pandemic has given everyone space and time to learn about themselves, and I have decided to explore the galaxy through Astronomy.
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