I Never Imagined a Normal Walk Would See a Bear
I set out that morning expecting nothing more than fresh air and quiet thoughts. The trail behind my house was familiar, worn smooth by countless ordinary walks. Birds whispered overhead, leaves crunched under my boots, and the world felt calm and predictable. I never imagined a normal walk would see a bear.
At first, I thought the dark shape ahead was a fallen tree. It moved. My breath stopped. A bear stepped into the open, massive and calm, as if it had always belonged there—and it had. Time slowed as my heart thundered in my ears. Every sound sharpened: the wind, my own breathing, the soft padding of its paws on the earth.
We stood facing each other, two creatures startled by the same surprise. The bear lifted its head, sniffed the air, and studied me with ancient, unreadable eyes. Fear rushed through me, but so did awe. This was not a monster from stories; this was raw nature, powerful and alive.
I remembered what to do—stay still, don’t run, respect the space between us. After a long moment, the bear turned away, disappearing into the trees as quietly as it had appeared.
I continued my walk shaken, humbled, and grateful. That day reminded me that nature is never ordinary, and every step outdoors carries the chance of wonder.
