That moment when I saw Jawbone Flats, I knew that I would change.

That moment when I saw the water rushing down the hillside.

That moment when I saw it splash, I saw it change colors, just like me.

We both changed for the better. Synchronized.

That moment when I saw that deep green water. I thought I walked into a dream.

That moment when I saw the water, I thought I was seeing things.

That moment when I saw the mountains, grey and white, and the sky above.

That moment when, cheeks red, hands cold, and arms reaching,

my fingerprints imprinted warm touch onto the soft bark of her evergreen skin.

That moment when we captured bugs and studied them, then let them go.

That moment when I was running from my friends in the grass-filled meadow.

That moment when I saw the food, my mouth started watering and I couldn’t move.

That moment we climbed down to the waterfall, Cascada de los Niños,

Cascading white, churning to the calm green pool.

That moment when I saw the beautiful emerald,

I couldn’t take my eyes off the flowing of the water,

Splashing against the soft rocks.

I loved the sound and how it pulled me under with this beautiful sound,

And I wanted to stay in that gaze.

Thank you.

–written by the 4th-6th grade students of the Sequoia Room, Portland Montessori School