Joy in the Outdoors: A Juneteenth Reflection

Guest post by the Institute’s Welcoming & Belonging Advisor, Alma Busby-Williams, reflecting on the importance of Juneteenth and finding comfort outdoors.

I learned from my great grandmother, at a very young age, that being outside was where to find peace … comfort. North Cascades Institute provides opportunities to so many to discover this type of comfort and peace.

I always think of my great grandmother when considering how to truly celebrate Juneteenth. My great grandmother, Olivia Frances McCray, was born in 1886 in Chapel Hill, Texas. She was born on what was formerly known as the Routt Plantation, where her parents, Lea Low and Tom Routt met as children. Lea and Tom were married at the Washington County Courthouse on, October 31st, in 1878, about 15 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, and 13 years after the enslaved would receive the news of their freedom in Texas.

My great grandmother would smile as she talked about early celebrations of Juneteenth, and how the community would come together in fellowship and talk about freedom. By the time Olivia had children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, we would often travel together to Galveston, from her home in Temple, Texas, to celebrate where the formerly enslaved received the news that they were free.

It is important for me to remember her excitement as she talked about Juneteenth to truly grasp the significance of the holiday and celebration, instead of thinking about it as just another day off.

Olivia was one of the eldest children born to Lea and Tom. Though Juneteenth became a Texas state holiday in 1980, my family has celebrated the day as long as I can remember. When people refer to this time as the worst in history, I think about Olivia, who always reminded me that we came from a strong people. She never complained about much and loved being outside. She was happiest in her own home with the pomegranate tree in the front yard and a swing on her porch.

Olivia lived to be 108 years old, one month shy of 109.

I am also happiest outside, even if it is simply in my own yard, because it is in nature where I feel connected to those strong and resilient people who came before me.

Read more about how the Institute offers youth the chance to find refuge in the outdoors by visiting our Mountain School page and our Youth Leadership Adventures page.