The Relaxing Day

The Relaxing Day May 28, 2026

I decided to get up earlier than usual one morning so I could go for a walk and enjoy the peace and quiet of the day. I wrapped my hand around my coffee cup as I looked out the kitchen window, thinking about where I wanted to go. It had been a long time since I had gone anywhere this early in the morning, and so many things had changed that I wasn’t sure which would be better, the park or the forest path.

I took a deep breath, pulling the smell of my coffee into my nostrils as my gaze turned towards the forest. So the forest it was then. I finished my coffee and set the cup on the counter, then took my jacket off the coat rack by the door. Opening the door, I took in a deep breath of the fresh air as it struck my face. I pulled my jacket around me after I slipped it on to guard against the frosty morning air and headed for the forest path, which wasn’t far away.

I strolled along the concrete sidewalk skirting the houses by the forest, not wanting to rush, reaching the forest path a few minutes later. The path was approximately two miles long as it twisted and turned, heading away from the houses. A stream passed under a bridge as it wound its way deep into the forest. I had never followed the stream to its end, although I thought I might someday see where it led. The minute I stepped into the forest, it was like another world greeted me. Singing birds, busy creatures scurrying across the ground, and flowers blooming everywhere brightened the morning as I made my way down the path. My mind and body began to relax as I entered, taking me away from the stress and worries of daily living.

The brisk morning bit at my cheeks as I slipped my hands in my pockets. It wasn’t cold, just a bit on the brisk side, the chill nipping at exposed digits. The chill was refreshing and invigorating as I continued to walk amongst the trees. I listened to the gentle breeze as it moved through the trees, the sound seeming like tiny voices as it brushed my cheeks.

Arriving at the stream, I took a break on a flat rock that sat close to a small swirling pool that bubbled over the rocks in the stream. I sat there watching the fish swim along the bottom of the stream and listening to the sounds of the forest, totally losing track of time as the sun slipped higher in the sky. I continued my journey heading for the tiny bridge that crossed the stream a short distance away. A smile crept across my face as the shimmering bodies of the fish moved back and forth, looking as if they were dancing amongst the rocks. I stood mesmerized for a few moments as they curved around rocks and swam in the clear water, their bodies glinting silver in the sun. After a few minutes, I continued my morning stroll in the forest. I wondered what else I might encounter in this protected haven within the city.

No hunting, no fishing, no camping, and no littering were allowed within the forest, and the rangers patrolling it made sure everyone adhered to the rules. It was kept natural, allowing everyone to leave their busy lives behind to enjoy the peace of the forest. The trees stretched to the sky as if inviting it to join them in the harmony created below.

I stopped under a tall Sycamore tree, looking up to the leaves that were far above the forest floor. Several trees had huge leaves that intertwined, making a roof that would protect anyone from an afternoon rain while allowing the sun to shine through to illuminate the forest floor. I wound through the trees for a short distance, finding a fox burrow below one of the trees. I kept my distance as I knelt a short distance away, hearing tiny whimpers from deep within the hole. I had no desire to disturb the tiny creatures unless their parents didn’t return. I waited with anticipation to make sure the parents returned. After a bit, one of the parent foxes poked its head from under the bushes next to the tree, then darted quickly into the den carrying a morsel of food in its mouth.

I had watched the fox family for longer than I anticipated, allowing the morning sun to slide across the sky and dip into the afternoon. The parents busied themselves throughout the day gathering food for the tiny mouths within the den, darting quickly into the hole with their morsels. Mice, squirrels, and even a fish or two were brought to the den to feed the growing cubs.

I left the fox family and began my journey back to my house. I breathed the fresh air of the forest, a haven within the hectic life of the city that gave refuge and release, if only for a few hours. The smells and visual effects of the forest washed away the stench and bustle of the city as one followed the path. It showed new wonders never imaginable for those who were caught in the ‘rat race’, although most never visited because of their fast and furious lifestyle. It was like an imaginary place for anyone to explore to escape their everyday worries, and wash the city's stench away, and relax a bit.

I hesitated when I came to the edge of the forest, not wanting to leave the serenity it created. I took one last deep breath, looked over my shoulder at the beautiful trees reaching for the sky, the lush greenery spreading below those trees, and promised I would visit more often. I walked slowly back to my house, glancing in the direction of the forest several times before I arrived at my house. Upon entering my house, the lingering smell of French Vanilla coffee hung in the air. I hung my jacket on the coat rack as I took a deep breath to refresh my senses of what home smelled like, the smells of the forest lingering within my senses to remind me there was always a refuge to escape the madness.