Every year I dread the summer. I’m not like all the other kids who are excited for summer. I am one of those so called “geeks” that love school and wouldn’t rather be anywhere else. Actually, I would rather be anywhere but home.

I’m Marissa. I live with my dad. My little brother Timmy and my mom passed away in a car accident about two years ago. It was a very tragic and depressing time for both me and my dad. My dad has never been the same without my mom. My mom and my dad had been friends since 9th grade. In other words they were “high school sweethearts”. They were meant to be. Once my dad lost his soul mate and his best friend, it’s like he had lost a piece of him.

“It’s time to get in the car.” My dad yelled from the garage.

“I’m sorry dad. I’ll be right out. I just had to make sure we didn’t forget anything.”

“I didn’t forget anything. So come on.”

Some girls would be upset at their father or feel bad that their father was getting impatient with them. But for me, this is the first time my dad has talked to me in weeks. So I am glad to hear anything he has to say to me.

It is a long car ride up north. It takes about 5 hours. Sometimes longer when my dad decides to stay behind a semi truck the whole way. When we used to come up with my mom and brother, I always had my brother to talk to. And hearing my mom and dad laugh was very comforting and broke the silence. Now all you can hear is the cars’ engine and the howls of coyotes within the forest around us.

When we arrive my dad takes all of his things without a word and brings them inside, leaving me alone in the car. Every summer I come up here and just sit around reading, studying old worksheets that I did the previous year, and staring into the forest surrounding the log cabin. There was something special about this forest though. I don’t know what makes it so special but I sometimes just sit by the window and stare at it for hours on end. Watching the leaves blow throughout the entwined branches, seeing deer every now and then peeking out behind the big trunks of the oak trees and evergreens and the sound the leaves make when they rustle against each other in the breeze gives me chills down my spine. I have decided that this summer I am going to actually go in the woods and find out what’s so special about them.

The next morning I wake up bright and early and set out on my adventure. My dad was still sleeping but it’s not like he would care if I am gone. He probably wouldn’t even notice that I am missing.

I follow the pathway my mom made years ago. She always talked about how much she loved this forest. She always came here when she was a kid. Now I know what she was talking about. It’s so beautiful. Birds are chirping, deer are running, and frogs are hopping. I have no idea why I never came here earlier. A thought comes to me. My brothers’ pond. He used to catch frogs all of the time there. I run in the direction I believe he described it to be. And sure enough. There it was. I could just picture little Timmy running around the pond filled with joy and happiness. It brought great memories back. I miss him so much.

I kept walking trying to hold back my tears. As I walked deeper into the forest it got more and more beautiful. The leaves almost looked greener and the trees were taller. I have never seen nature as beautiful as this before. Until I thought it couldn’t get any better, I spotted a swing hanging from one of the branches of a nearby tree. The light was shining through the trees and hitting the swing at a perfect angle. I wonder if the swing would break if I sat on it. How long has this swing been there? I run over to it and slowly sit. It seems to be holding up pretty well. I shouldn’t be too worried about falling in the large pile dirt in front of it. I slowly swing. I feel the breeze running through my hair and I smell the wildflowers surrounding me. I feel alive. I feel free.
After about 15 minutes I slowly stop moving my feet to get off the swing. As I get off I feel something underneath the wood seat. I turn the wood under and there is an envelope. Why would there be an envelope? Should I take it off and look at it? I decided I would never be able to resist opening this envelope and seeing what’s inside so I slowly peel the tape off of it and open it up.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. Am I dreaming? My eyes started to fog up from the tears boiling up and trying to escape. It was a letter from my mom. I started reading:

My dearest Marissa,

When I was younger this was my favorite place to be. I would sit on this swing for hours and just ignore everything going on in the world. Hearing the birds chirp and the deer prance through the brush brought me great joy. I hope it does the same for you. If you were wondering how I knew you would get this note eventually it is because I figured you would need somewhere to escape to just like I did when I was younger. And look, I was right! You are two years old right now as I am writing this. You are sitting on my lap and I am watching you look at me with your beautiful green eyes and your adorable smile. You are going to be an amazing, beautiful, and successful woman someday. I love you with all my heart. And just know that no matter what, I will always be there for you and support you in all you do. You will always be my little girl. I am so proud to call you my daughter. Always keep your head up and stay true to yourself. It will get you far. I love you more than anything Marissa. And I always will.
Love Always,
Mom

Without a notice, tears began streaming down my face like a water fall that has been held back for years. It means the world to me that my mom took her time to write me this letter and how she knew I would eventually find it is amazing. If only she was here with me right now, she would know that I got her beautiful note. I miss her more than anything. But I know she is getting taken care of where she is now and she has my brother to comfort her. I can feel her looking down on me and smiling. I knew there was something special about this forest. It is something that I will remember for the rest of my life and something that will be cherished forever. Who knew that something as precious as this would be hidden in the forest for me to find. All I had to do was look beyond the cabin.