Dear Mother Earth, I Have A Confession

Dear Mother Earth,

I have a confession. I'm not always as good as I should be. I take too long in the shower, I buy from companies that don't treat you well, I drive a car that I fill with a liquid from which they take from your core, and the list goes on.

Mother, you gave us all life in a place where it shouldn't have been possible. And when it became possible, you sheltered us from harm. With every step you take, you create a better tomorrow. You love each of your children so much that you created sustenance from which they could feed. Each fruit, vegetable, leaf, mushroom, is all thoughtfully placed by you to help us.

And yet, why do your children hurt you so? Your oceans are scraped daily, toxic waste is dumped all around, and pollution has never been higher. The very trees you placed in order to give us oxygen, are being broken down at too high of a rate.

I know that you wanted us to feed from your fruits. I know that you wanted us to prosper. There were never any restrictions placed by you. But the greed of my people has gone too far, and I am not innocent either.

Dear Mother Earth, I keep the television running for far too long. I often buy produce and forget that it's sitting in my fridge until it's too late. The clothes that I wear, be it the only ones I can afford, are from fast fashion companies that are responsible for 20% of water waste.

And I know that it's not too late. I know that I can do my part in protecting you, the way that you've protected me. I know that I can recycle more often, eat locally, conserve water, and shop second hand. I know that my decisions have an impact and that I too can make a change.

But often my decision of recycling one water bottle feels too small compared to the corporations that are pushing out plastic water bottles at over 480,000,000,000 a year. And of that, only 9% is recycled. The corporations that pollute you, take from you, and forever change you are who are truly responsible, right?

My mother brought me into the world at a time when things seemed okay. Nobody was really thinking about the effects their cars had on you, or how scraping your ocean floors would harm the ecosystem which we all rely on. I'd like to be a mother one day and bring life into a world that seems okay too. Everyday we stray farther and farther from that reality.

Although life isn't meant to be forever, that doesn't mean it should end any sooner. We all know that you are powerful beyond belief and can in an instant raise your waters, rattle your grounds, and freeze the air leaving humans unable to thrive. We are but one piece of the life you created. You can take from us as you please.

One way or another, the extinction of humanity is inevitable. The sun will lose it's spark, and the lights will turn off on Earth. Life is meant to slowly fizzle out, not to be driven down by thoughtless humans. Nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons must all be put down in order for us and our children to survive.

There is so much suffering on your land. So much love that wasn't given. I know that the cirlce of life is meant to strengthen us, but we are all still a long way to go. The blue of your waters, the scattered white of the clouds, and the soft chirping of birds are all such beautiful testaments of your love. Dear Mother Earth, I confess that we may not all be doing what's right all the time, but I promise we are growing.