Who knew that a little brown fluff ball would change my life. Since I was little I’ve always wanted a hamster. However, my mom told me I couldn’t because I was irresponsible and not old enough to take care of one. I didn’t want my mom to feel that way and I wanted to know how to take care of a hamster. It sounds easy, right? Just a cage and food? Nope, it’s the opposite: they need a huge cage, wheel, food, toys, and bedding for the hamster to feel at home. I underestimated how to take care of a hamster and I decided not to get one as I knew I wasn’t ready. Time passed and I finally got a job at age 14. Each time I got paid I would save up money. During my free time, I watch Youtube videos every chance I get and educate myself on how to take care of a hamster. Doing this, I told my mom all the information I learned on how to take care of a hamster. For example, a hamster needs a minimum of 450 square inches, at least 6 inches of bedding as they need to sleep, etc… It seems like my mom finally had trust in me to keep a pet. On my 15th birthday, my family woke me up by singing happy birthday and my older sister had a small little cage with a fluffy hamster. It was a little winter white hamster who was later named Quincy because it sounded like 15 in Spanish is “quince”. Quincy was the perfect name. Right away, I wanted that small cage out as I knew hamsters get very anxious in small environments. I could practically hear him screaming to get him out of his little cage. With the money I saved up, I got a huge cage, colorful bedding, food, toys, a wheel, and some hideouts. I had so much fun setting up his cage. I remember it took me an hour. I layed the bedding, put his wheel in the middle of the cage, hideouts on some sides of the cage, scattered his food, and toys. I put Quincy into his new home when he was awake. My eyes lit up when I saw him explore and run around his wheel and be a happy little hamster! I wanted to hold him but I had to control myself. I let him settle in for 3 days in his new home. When he was asleep I would talk to him hoping he would get used to my voice. Waiting for 3 days is the hardest moment as I wanted to hold him for a bit but I knew that I had to be patient. When the 3 days were up I knew the next step I wanted to tame Quincy. I went to my bath and laid a towel, some toys, and food. I put Quincy and myself in the bath. I wanted him to get used to me with no fear. He did bite me a few times but I took the bites to let him know I will not harm him. When he stopped biting me I put food in my hand so he is comfortable being in my hand. I laid my hand on the floor and he took food from my hand and then went on top of my hand to eat. I was so happy that I wanted to hold him but I knew if I did that he would get scared. I did this until he was finally comfortable around me, which took about a week. Patience worked as Quincy got used to my hand in his cage and holding him. Quincy was literally like a son to me. When I get ready for school early in the morning I would always see him still awake running around or eating. I would talk to him for a solid 5 minutes and tell him “Goodnight Quincy, love you” when I left. Then, I come to school and I check up on him if he has food and water. Then, when he wakes up at night I love looking at him running around and then running toward me to hold him. Sometimes I would let him be in my bed or my room to run around freely. I treasured every small moment I had with him as he brightened my day every single time. However, one morning I didn’t see him running or eating. Then I checked if his food or water was touched and it wasn’t. I dropped to the floor and took out the lid of his cage. I gently shook the top layer of bedding as he would usually wake up to that. I did this for 2-3 minutes but there was no movement. My eyes started filling with tears and denying my suspicions. I looked deep into the bedding and there was Quincy. He died from old age. It has been about 2 years since I got him. I knew the day would come but I wasn’t ready. That day I didn’t speak to anyone and I dug a little hole and placed Quincy there. I put rocks surrounding him to know where he is. It has been 2 years since it happened and how much I missed him. I visit his little grave from time to time. As time has passed I have concluded that pets are another family member. I loved Quincy like a son. I would spoil him and he made me smile for the littles things. I love pets as they can teach us so much. I have learned to educate myself on how to take care of a pet, save money, be patient, and love every moment of life. Sadly, I am going to college so I can’t get a hamster but when I graduate I will adopt one and love the hamster like another son.

I started loving nature during my freshman retreat. Starting a new school and meeting new friends was pretty stressful but that all changed when I went to “The Pines”. At first, I thought my freshman retreat would be boring and ruined as it was cold and raining in the middle of the woods. However, it was very relaxing and fun. It was like mother nature made it cold and rainy on purpose. I got to meet good friends by relating, having wet socks all day, and making fun of each other. My favorite moment was when I woke up around 5:30 am and everyone else was still asleep. I decided to walk around the campground, enjoying time by myself. It was nice walking, having fresh air, and a quiet mind – hearing little raindrops as they hit the ground, birds chirping, and my feet crushing the leaves. During this quiet time, all my stress about being in a new school went away. Instead, I felt proud of being in a new school and giving it all I got. I went back to my cabin, saw everyone awake, and said good morning to the first person I saw. From my freshman year till now, anytime I need to quiet my mind I go outside and walk my dog around the neighborhood. I have come to realize that nature grows with me every year. When starting school trees are greener than ever like how I am every year excited for a new year. Then the leaves fall like stress during the testing season. Lastly, turn greener like how I am ready for another year.