Montana Conservation Corps - Tools for Living. Experience for life.

After a season in the wilderness of open expanses, the subtle smells and sounds of nature and interacting with only the few people in my crew, weatherizing was a totally inverted experience.

The majority of the homes were cluttered with the things we gather throughout life, most attached with some experience and memory, others just the inanimate junk we think is a must have in the moment but is soon buried by tomorrows compulsions. The homes smelled of cigarettes, cats, dogs, and the indescribable scent of the people living there. All the furniture was centered around a box making flashing lights and sounds, artificially entrancing the people starring mindlessly at it. These homes were certainly nothing like the beauty and awe of the forest.

However the people were. The majority were lonely, and bored but kind, appreciative, and glad to have company to share the endless stories of their life with. Each unique in the ways they viewed life, themselves and others. These people have libraries of experiences influencing their views, beliefs, passions, and the patterns through which they interact with the hours of the day.

The same fascination I got from studying the the night sky was there when getting a glimpse into the soul of these people. Like after hours of studying a vast mountain landscape I feel like there is some essence or quality I am missing and can’t quite absorb.

Through interacting with people I was reminded that hiking miles into the wilderness and up to the mountain top to get a glimpse of that intricate beauty is not the only way to get that humbling, awe inspiring excitement for life . The truth is it’s as close as the stranger right next to you.

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