Young Writers Project is a creative, online community of teen writers and visual artists that started in Burlington in 2006. Each week, VTDigger publishes the writing and art of young Vermonters who post their work on youngwritersproject.org, a free, interactive website for youth, ages 13-19. To find out more, please go to youngwritersproject.org or contact Executive Director Susan Reid at sreid@youngwritersproject.org; (802) 324-9538.
When home is where the heart is, the most fuzzy-feeling place in the world can be a littered New York streetscape or a dusty, honky-tonk township down in Texas. But when the heart nestles itself in the mountains of Vermont, bucolic landscapes and maple breezes become the blood that flows through it. In this week’s featured story, by Madison Neill of Grand Isle, the narrator sneaks away from the family farm for a meditative moment alone to drink in the peace and paradise of another Green Mountain sunrise.
Home away from home
By Madison Neill, 13, of Grand Isle
Here is what I imagine heaven to be like. It’s not too warm and it’s not too cold, and it’s filled with memories and generations of people.
My name is Jessica, and my family owns a farm up in Jericho, Vermont. Just north of the barn, there is an enormous field for our sheep. In the distance, there are mountains that are all different shades of green and blue that make the trees blend in.
I sneak out of my window just to come out here and watch the sunrise. Just before the sun peeks over the mountains, you can still hear the bugs chirping as they get ready to stay clear of the hot day. I can hear the breeze as it brushes against my face, leaving goosebumps to replace the cool air.
I can feel the small warmth of the grass under my feet, and as I sit down in the field, I graze my hands through the patches of flowers. Just then the sun peers over the mountains, leaving a beautiful smile on my face. Just another wonderful day in paradise.
I guess the thing that puts my senses at ease is the smell of the fresh pine and maple trees: It makes me think of Christmas. All these things out here come together and make all my worries go away. All the stress of the world that has felt like it has been on my shoulders is gone. It’s like it fades away when I step one foot in this place. It’s like there’s a magical barrier that doesn’t allow any negative things to happen here. It’s amazing.
This is what I imagine heaven to be like, and I guess it already is. This is my home away from home.
