Imagine This

By Gina Brooks
5th Grade, Stanislaus County
Sacred Heart Catholic School - Star Pedron, Teacher
Illustrated by Central Catholic High School

Five years ago, I was lucky enough to move from town out to the country. My family now lives on the land where my father farms. Before we moved, I knew I would like living in the country. I knew I would love the peace and quiet all around me. I knew I would love all of the space we would have to play. I thought I knew all the reasons why I would like my new home. Now that I have lived in the country there are more things about it that I love; things that someone living in a city or town probably could never imagine.

Imagine this... being able to run outside and watch my father drive his tractor through our almond orchard. I am able to see the trees change with each season. The beautiful white flower blossoms on the trees each spring changing to the bright green leaves. Then, I can watch as the nuts are harvested in the late summer.

Imagine this... waking up many mornings to the roar of the crop duster not far away. I love being able to watch the airplane dip and dive in the sky. Sometimes I can even wave to the pilot as he flies by me.

Imagine this... walking out on my front porch to find a bag of apples left by a neighbor. I love sharing our crops with people around us, and I love it when they share with us. All the delicious fruit and vegetables are such a treat.

Imagine this... being able to run from our house and pick a ripe, juicy peach off one of my dad's trees. Then picking a whole bunch of peaches and coming back and helping my mom can those peaches so we can enjoy the bright, delicious fruit all winter long.

Imagine this... riding my bike out to the cherry orchard to go to cherry picking. My cousins and I have picked bags full of cherries on those spring nights. We probably ate as many as we picked! We have had so much fun playing hide-and-go-seek out in the orchard after we're tired of picking.

Imagine this...learning to appreciate the beauty and peacefulness of the country. I am able to live and understand the importance of California agriculture each day. I see how we are so lucky to live where we do and enjoy the fresh and tasty fruits and vegetables I often eat. I hear my parents talk about the importance of agriculture and how it is a valuable California resource that must be appreciated and saved for people to come.

I don't have to "Imagine this." These wonderful things are part of my life that has come from living in the country and being in a farming family. I thought there would be many good things that would come from moving to the country, but there are so many more great things that are a part of my everyday life that, before I moved, I never would have imagined!