The crisp, cool spring air starts to set in as my dad walks along the riverfront of the Mississippi River.  He texts our family group chat named ‘The Liethen Fam’  about this picture and tells us, “Guys check out the Mississippi River.  It’s really flooded over right now.” We are all in awe of the picture because of how flooded and beautiful the sunset is.

When he comes home from his trip to La Crosse, Wisconsin; he tells us all about it. He explains how everything in town that’s along the riverfront is being affected right now because they have a fear that the water is going to rise too much and ruin their building.  He said he went to touch the water and told us that it was as cold as ice sent a chilling shock through his body and made his hair stand up.  The chilling winter water is still trying to turn over and become warm have the summer water become present so all the people can get in and appreciate it.

I love these sunset pictures he sends our family because they show the beauty of nature and that’s something he and I share.  We both love the little things in nature whether it’s the bugs on the ground, the birds in the sky, or the fish in the creek on the side of the road.  There is a vast amount of events and memories from my childhood that made me appreciate nature the way I do now, and one of many events and memories was the sunset pictures he’d always take and tell me, “Son you have to appreciate what’s in front of you and be thankful for the things around you before it's gone.”  That is one of the many life lessons that he has taught me and I live by that still today.