COM Outlook Summer/Fall 2020

18 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE T he scorching, humidified world surrounding me cools as the blazing ball of fire in the sky descends from its comfortable home in the baby-blue sky. It taunts me with its orange rays as it progresses to slide in between the tree line that covers the horizon. I plunge into the critter-infested greenery that resides behind the towering beige condominiums lining the outer perimeter of this vibrant grassland. I embark on my nightly adventure into what was once a lively golf course, but which has now been replaced by an open, unkempt field. Quarantined neighbors seek refuge after being entrapped in their homes throughout the day. A multitude of children of varying ages congregate to strike a colorful soccer ball between one another. They call to each other as they race down the field, and a small, dark-haired boy kicks the ball through a pair of aging, leafy trees while the younger children around him cheer in excitement of the goal that had just been scored. I continue along the gravel path to find two rambunctious, dusky-colored canines pulling on their leashes. The dog’s young owners raise their gaze as I pass, and we exchange a playful, peaceful smile. In that moment, we feel connected by the cooling breeze whistling through the leaves and the coral hues painting the sky. The open space above me begins to turn deep cobalt with splashes of bright magenta as the sun reflects onto the clouds. The breeze flows through the leaves of the oak trees that tower above. Various species of birds patrol the grassy landscape surrounding the algae-infested ponds as night sets upon me. Suddenly, a mother and her 11 newborn ducklings cross my path. I remember that we, as humans, are a part of something that is larger than we are, and that we are intimately intertwined with the environment around us. Potentially, this virus and this quarantine have given us a rare opportunity to slow down, spend time with the ones we love, and rediscover the peace within us, while also connecting to the ecosystem that thrives in our backyard. We now can take time and find these precise moments that belong only to us and encourage our spirit to savor them. Perhaps we are being reminded of our ability as humans to rediscover our souls and what truly makes us happy and connected, even in such turbulent times of uncertainty. Lena Nowacki is a second-year KPCOM student. BY LENA NOWACKI Finding Solace on the Fairway GOLF REFUGEE Lena Nowacki