To my lifelong mentor
from your forever grateful student
Dear Caren,
Who knew that a middle school on a farm would prepare for me so much in my future. From milking goats, collecting eggs, shearing sheep, and running a farm business, you have taught me more than I can ever be thankful for. More importantly, you were there for me as my mentor. During days when the world felt like it was crumbling beneath me, you were there, gentle and steady, to remind me where I was. To remind me of the warm embrace of golden afternoons, playing with baby goats and breathing the hay filled air. Reminding me of the bumbling bees and sweet honey, and how it melted upon my tongue. The farm was my sanctuary and control when things felt out of control. I will forever thank you for that.
Now, I am growing up, already in my second year of college. This world is strange, faster and colder than my time on the farm. This world is unforgiving and monstrous. As I navigate, fumble and fall, I desperately grasp at memories of tall grass and sleepy sheep. But I am not there. I am staggering under the weight of responsibility, drowning in the rapids of my own unfolding. I feel in my worst moments that I am losing myself. I can no longer feel the warm breezes of golden afternoons or hear the baby goats call. I can’t hear the chickens cluck or cuddle against soft wool. The barn cats mews are distant and the air constricts me now. The bees no longer buzz. I forget where I am.
I was in a crisis when suddenly, I saw a bee. It was a chubby little thing, it’s wings barely keeping it off the ground. It buzzed past my nose and I felt compelled to follow it. On our journey, I felt the sun kiss my skin and breeze whisper its warm welcomes. My lungs filled with air and I felt like I could breathe again. The bee plopped down on a flower, and I watched as it settled in and pollinated it. For a moment, I felt like I was back on the farm. I remembered how freeing it was to run along the grass, to jump in the pond and collect eggs from angry chickens. If I closed my eyes I could hear the hum of cicadas and the song of mourning doves. I could feel my feet thumping on asphalt as I ran to Browns Corner to enjoy recess. I am not there on the farm, and that’s okay. I’m in college and things are slowly falling apart, and that’s okay too.
Caren, I am a growing adult, and I regret that for some time I forgot all that I was taught in my youth. I almost can’t believe that time has passed so quickly since I was in middle school. So much has shifted and changed in my life since I was child. Through the hustle and bustle of life, I forgot myself. And I am working towards figuring out this new chapter of my future. And in remembering where I am now, I remember where I want to go. On the farm, I was taught that everything has a place and purpose in this world. And as I figure out my purpose, I think about your guidance and I know now to take things slow and at my own pace.
This world is strange and unfamiliar, but I am thankful for your presence that grounds me. I am thankful that we can still keep in contact and share stories and keep each other updated. Even though I am no longer in middle school, I still regard you as my teacher, and I’m glad to have met you in this life.
Forever grateful,
Your student,
Madi Thomas
About the Creator
Madi Thomas
just a girl with big dreams
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The Summit
He stepped out onto the stage and a light lit up inside him, pulsating throughout his entire being before settling somewhere deep inside his heart. This stage was his moment and his body tingled with the anticipation to perform. Closing his eyes, he could feel the heat of the stage lights kiss his skin and welcome him into their warm embrace, whispering to him that he was home. Somewhere to his left, he could hear his bassist silently slide his fingers over the strings. To his right, his guitarist shuffled from foot to foot in an attempt to expel last minute jitters. And, finally, behind him was the drummer who was softly tapping out rhythms with his fingers. They were ready.
By Madi Thomas5 years ago in Humans
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The Met Office’s yellow warning signals that fog could significantly reduce visibility, in some areas dropping below 100 meters. While not the most severe level of weather alert, yellow warnings are designed to prompt awareness and caution, particularly for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians who may be caught off guard during early morning commutes. Travel Disruptions and Safety Concerns Fog is one of the most dangerous weather conditions for road travel, as it can dramatically shorten reaction times and obscure hazards. Authorities have urged drivers to slow down, use fog lights appropriately, and maintain greater distances between vehicles. Motorways and rural roads alike are vulnerable, with sudden patches of thick fog appearing without much warning. Rail services may also experience delays, as drivers are required to reduce speeds when visibility drops. At airports, fog can disrupt flight schedules, causing delays or cancellations, particularly during peak morning hours. Aviation authorities closely monitor visibility thresholds, and even a short-lived fog bank can ripple through tightly scheduled operations. Emergency services have emphasized that pedestrians and cyclists should wear reflective clothing where possible, especially during early mornings and evenings. With darker winter days already limiting visibility, fog compounds the risks for vulnerable road users. Why Fog Follows Heavy Rain Meteorologists explain that fog warnings often follow periods of heavy rainfall. When rain saturates the ground, it leaves behind large amounts of surface moisture. If skies then clear and winds ease, the ground cools rapidly overnight, allowing moisture to condense into fog. This pattern is becoming increasingly familiar in the UK, where weather systems are growing more erratic. Climate scientists note that a warming atmosphere holds more moisture, increasing the likelihood of intense rainfall events followed by fog, frost, or sudden temperature drops. Regional Impact Across the UK The yellow fog warnings are not uniform across the country. Low-lying areas, river valleys, and rural regions are particularly susceptible. Parts of southern England, the Midlands, and eastern regions are among those most at risk, though localized fog could appear almost anywhere conditions align. In Scotland and northern England, lingering wet ground combined with colder overnight temperatures raises the possibility of fog forming alongside icy patches. This mix of hazards further complicates travel and increases the risk of accidents. What a Yellow Warning Really Means A yellow weather warning does not mean severe disruption is guaranteed, but it does indicate a heightened likelihood of impacts. The Met Office uses yellow alerts to encourage the public to stay informed and take sensible precautions. For fog, that means checking travel updates, allowing extra journey time, and staying alert to rapidly changing conditions. Weather experts stress that fog can be highly variable. One area may experience clear skies while another, just a few miles away, is blanketed in thick mist. This unpredictability is what makes fog particularly dangerous. Looking Ahead: More Changeable Weather Forecasts suggest that unsettled weather will continue in the coming days, with further spells of rain interspersed with calmer, colder nights—conditions that could lead to additional fog warnings. While no prolonged severe weather is currently expected, the pattern reflects the broader trend of increasingly changeable winters in the UK. For many residents, this serves as another reminder that winter weather is no longer defined by just cold or snow. Instead, a mix of heavy rain, flooding risks, fog, and sudden temperature shifts is becoming the new normal. 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By Fiaz Ahmed 2 days ago in Earth
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