If I think about her, I don't say, like, if I had to explain, like, describe your mom to me.

I'd be like, well, you know, she's like a mom.

She's pretty strict.

You know, she was a good mom growing up. She's a really good cook. You know, but I wouldn't be like, she's an adventurer. But, like, she is. I don't know. It's just really cool. Hi, I'm Willow Belden and you're listening to Out There, the podcast that explores big questions through intimate stories in the outdoors.

It's Mother's Day, and to celebrate, we have a special bonus episode.

It's a bit different than the stories we usually air because it involves stories about you, our listeners.

Over the past few weeks, we've asked you to share stories about your mothers and how they've

influenced your relationship with the outdoors.

And you did.

I was thrilled by how nuanced and thought-provoking your stories were, and so today I want

to share some of my favorites with you.

Without further ado, let's get to it.

Hi, Willow, it's Charlotte. I'm from White Plains, New York. So my mom's free time was normally

spent in the garden when as a child.

I remember her fingers covered in soil, digging, leading, and planting and getting frustrated when things wouldn't flourish.

When one of my brothers died, she planted a tree in his honor.

That spot that she chose for the tree ended up killing every tree that she tried planting there.

She couldn't figure out why until she planted a Chinese maple.

This Chinese maple was able to root in this rocky and rather confusing patch of her yard,

and this tree is actually still there in her garden some 20 years later.

She taught me how nature really can throw some curveballs,

but if you're persistent enough, something beautiful is bound to grow from the pain.

...