When I think of nature, I think of magic and wonder. Sometimes the world seems so magical through the eyes of a child: those eyes that see the wonders of nature in a different light. Those sights turn into memories that can last for ages. Even once the eyes have aged and have seen the world, those memories still remain so sweet to the heart.

One day I told my grandmother that I would be traveling to Fairy Stone State Park for a meeting and before me I saw a childlike wonder fill her eyes again and she began to tell me a story. She took me on a journey to a year that her father’s company picnic was held at the park. There was a sense of nostalgia that filled the air as she reminisced on the laughter, smiles and games that filled that picnic.

She then told me the story of how one day she returned to the park by chance, and how the memories flooded back, standing there looking across the water. My grandfather was driving when he saw the sign and when he saw how her face lit with excitement, he insisted they make a quick stop.

With a sparkle in her eye, she asked me if I could find her a fairy stone when I visited. So of course, after our meeting, we headed out to the hunt site. Even though I was unable to find a perfect one, we returned the following week, and I found her a really nice one…in the gift shop.

The hunt is part of the adventure

There’s beauty in the things that you cannot see. When you stand in a state park, you are standing in a place where memories resonate throughout the years. For as long as I live, I want to remember the way my grandmother's face lit up when I handed her the box of fairy stones. I will forever cherish the childlike wonder I saw brought back to life.