by Anastasia M
Dear Readers,
I am an 11th grader from Saratoga, and for the past two years, Ecolyst has been my home. Long before I understood environmental policy or climate science, I understood the earth through my hands, the dirt beneath my fingernails, and the quiet rhythm of my grandmother’s backyard. Growing up, that garden was my entire playground.
My relationship with water began in the parched, golden haze of a California drought. I still vividly recall the day my grandmother posted a small sign from the city in our yard that read, “Brown is the new green.” It was my first real awakening to the fragility of the place I loved. At home, our daily routines shifted. We installed low-flow showerheads, transitioned to drip sprinklers, and replaced our old water tank with a tankless system. In a state that felt like it was burning dry, every drop we saved felt like a quiet act of devotion to this land.
Every spring, like clockwork, my grandmother would plant chrysanthemums. Through seven long months of patient growth, she tended them until they erupted into a sea of blossoms that could rival the Queen’s roses. But this year, the garden is quiet. My grandfather fell ill, and my grandmother now pours all her time and love into caring for him. The lawn is dry, and the water bill is lower than it has ever been. Technically, we are conserving. But walking through that silent, flowerless yard made me realize something deeper.
Environmentalism isn’t meant to be a cold accounting of what we strip away from our lives. Yes, we must save as much as we can—we must protect every drop, every leaf, and every corner of this earth. But conservation should never cost us our humanity. Sometimes, it is okay to use a little water. It is okay to nourish a blossom, to give life to a garden, and to bring a little joy back into a heavy home.
As we write, act, and advocate this year, let’s remember that we aren’t just saving a planet—we are protecting the beauty and happiness that make living on it worthwhile. Save fiercely, but never forget to let things bloom.
Warmly,
Anastasia M
Your AVP for Marketing
Circa 2015
