You have always been a friend of nature, but now, more than ever, you are of this Earth.
Today, on Earth Day, I celebrate not just the planet you loved so dearly, but I also celebrate you, its protector. Now, as you look after it from above, you participate in its dance, making each ordinary occurrence, anything but.
For you are the rustling of leaves on an old oak tree. You are the honey bee, humming as it toils. You are the sweet, pure fragrance of a pink rose in bloom. You are the deep, rich color of freshly-turned soil. You are the shadow of a hawk as it flies overhead. You are the delicate silver clouds just passing through.
You are the glow of the sun as it ducks beneath the horizon. You are the waves colliding under the stained glass sky. You are the sea foam left bubbling and twinkling ashore. You are the little golden specks in a landscape of sand. You are the seashells that linger briefly before they wash back to sea. You are the sand crabs scurrying to the song of the ocean. You’re the cry of the gulls and the splash of the pelicans. You are the salt and the seaweed and the evening breeze.
You are the hymn of the finches on the feeders out back. You are the gnarls on the tree that holds them.
You are the vibrant orange koi submerged in thought. You are the single ivory lotus blossoming above them.
You are the spotted owl and red-tailed hawk. You are gray whales and white-sided dolphins. You are California poppies and bougainvillea. You are garibaldi and golden trout. You are redwood and eucalyptus. You are earthworms and blue belly lizards. You are deer and coyotes. You are dahlias and lilies. You are the milkweed awaiting its monarch companions.
You are the World — and you are everywhere to me.
XOXO
Hannah Jane
“We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers
And sitting by desolate streams;—
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world forever, it seems.”“Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf,
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day
Nothing gold can stay.”
Hannah Jane Nancarrow is a San Diego State University alumni, with a B.A. in journalism and new media. After graduating in 2011, Hannah worked in local T.V. news before her dad was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Hannah managed and contributed to her dad’s incredibly popular blog (thenancarrowproject.com) and social media platforms before he passed away, after 11 months of bravely battling and blogging. The diagnosis was a catalyst for her own writing and for following each whim and dream. Today, Hannah writes her own blog and has been a keynote speaker at San Diego Women's Week, Relay for Life, and a top fundraiser for cancer-related causes throughout San Diego. Hannah also has a passion for health and fitness, since losing 75 pounds in 2011. She earned her Spinning® and group fitness instructor certifications, and teaches weekly cycle classes in Encinitas, California. Hannah also earned her real estate license and works in the family business, Nancarrow Realty Group, in North County San Diego.
The Nancarrow Project 
Hannah,
Every word of this is so beautiful. I believe what you believeâ¦.that your dad is very much a part of this world. I miss him, too.
Thanks for sending this.
Hi Hannah,
A very moving tribute to your Father. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We hope all is well with you and your family.
Charlie and Cathy Noakes
Such always beautiful put words…..thanking for continually sharing your dad..Loren. He was to me….the voice of plants….the ear to this planet and the eyes of all there is to see. He gave me the the promise that men….could see, feel and share about our EARTH. That your dad could put into words and share sooo very much of himself about the natural and dynamic ways of health and happiness……even when “it wasn’t considered cool” at times. I have admired him as a San Diegan for many years. God bless your familia…AND , he and your momma have raised awesome children! Peace, Monica Way
I am so grateful that your continue to write these beautiful posts. Your dad is so worthy of being honored in such a way. I am still blessed every day by your dad’s gift of Arlo to me; I look at Arlo & feel your dad’s presence.
Aww…beautiful, fragile, yet powerful, inspiring words you are offering up to your darling, RIP Dad – regarding this glorious Springtime 2014. Loren still gives me strength to thrive in this very hectic, “I’m the center of the World” atmosphere in which we are living. I’ve had to recently “brush off” the rejection by Wyndham Vacation Resort, after (3) interviews, they chose another candidate? Gee, I suppose the company is simply not in favor of Mature Applicants! Oh well, Loren is smiling at my thought process – I’m going to “really make it, succeed” with my Cleopatra’s Recess, a mid-day dog walking service,” serving Oceanside, Vista & Carlsbad, CA areas. Dear Loren is just one of my Angels, sending gossamir whispers to lend me strength to be my own boss and thrive. All the best of Springtime beauty to you, beautiful Susie, handsome Graham & adorable Britta! Love & Prayers, Susan & Julian Wise
beautiful words of life, energy and love….and I so agree with you, your dad is everywhere that is natural and good.
Hannah, your writing is awesome…..it makes me smile and cry at the same time. We all miss you father as well. Take care.
Beautiful words Hannah, I also want to thank you for continuing your father’s blog, I love seeing the pictures of him. God Bless you and your family.
You touch my heart !
Hannah: It’s like you and your dad are one mind, thinking together when you write. What a blessing you have received from him!
Hannah, I love how you have continued your fathers blog postings. It would make a lovely book. Thank you for sharing, he was an amazing spirit and we appreciate you sharing him with all of us. Blessings to your family,
Shelley Gaines
From Dr. Monahan’s office
Sweet Hannah, child of Loren. I believe he smiles down on you and I know he loves you through and through! Beautiful words from a beautiful young lady. Don’t stop writing, okay? I send prayers and blessings to you.
So very beautiful…. as always. Thank you again dear Hannah, for your light and love that you share with us all. You are a true inspiration. ❤
When I’m having a difficult day, I think of you and your Dad. You inspire me to remember how blessed I am in this life. You continue to make your Dad proud, Hannah.
what a picture – of a beloved naturalist, father and friend – written with tears of joy, colored by flowers and butterfly wings….Hannah…what a gift you share, and how gifted have you been to be loved by so wonderful a man…..who then found your gem of a Mom….and then birthed you guys too! WowieZowie!!!
Such a wonderful way to think of your dad . . .I can see him smiling and no matter where you are in nature, you will see and feel his presence. Keep up the good work Hannah.
Dawn
I could barely read the first sentence before I burst into tears. Such a tremdous power of love. Happy Earth Day, Hannah. And to you, Loren. Continued blessings. ❤️
Dear Hannah, Amazing how the power of words when used in such a way can diminish differences and cultivate common earthly bounds. When my brother died at the age of 50 I wrote a poem that I believe is in the essence of your thoughts expressed so eloquently here. Its named…
Watching the Willows
Im looking out your wondow now
Listening to the silence
Watching the willows
Swaying with the August breeze
As early morning filters through the forest
Even though you are gone
You seem to be everywhere
A part of everything
Larger than the life that confined you.
My mother just got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in march, she’s a vibrate 68 year old. I see her deteriorating, and it’s so hard. I often think about you going through this with your dad and I think, wow Hannah seems so strong. My coworkers and friends tell me how strong I am. I take care of my mother on my own, I am a single mom of a 10 year old, and I work full-time, thank goodness my employer understands my situation and grants me all the time I need to take off. I think god has granted me the opportunity to see your dad’s page to help me to deal with what’s to come. I just want you to know that you are inspiring me to be strong through this hard time. Much love to you and your family, Love Mary
Hi Hannah, many baby sparrows in my orange tree, wild parrots in my avocado tree, just had to smile this morning. Keep writing, please. Bob And Nora.
“Dance, dance, wherever you may be.I am the Lord of the Dance, said he…….”
Thank you, Hannah! You have once again put things in the best possible perspective. I have followed your story since the beginning of your Dad’s ordeal and have relished every descriptive morsel. I am now just embarking on my brother’s final journey here and have your words and your Dad’s words to help guide me through the scary quagmire that is cancer. I will look for more wisdom from you whenever the muse strikes. Know you are loved…
That is amazing and inspirational! Thank you!
So perfect and appropriate for today – beautiful thoughts and well written Hannah. God Bless and Happy Earth Day!
Quite lovely. Please keep writing.
Thank you sweetheart!
Beautiful.
Wonderful Hannah!! You are a gifted writer. Thank you so much!
What beautiful and heartfelt words for Earth Day, Hannah. And how lucky Loren was (and is) to have a daughter that knew and loved him well enough to write these words in his honor. His legacy will never be forgotten thanks to you.
Absolutely beautifully expressed. One can only hope to be so loved in this world.
Love it!
Beautifully written! Loren is a legend that will live on forever!
So incredibly beautiful. You are a very talented writer, Hannah Jane. You dad is so proud!
Dear Hannah. Once again you have brought me to tears. Tears of joy for your writing and tears for your loss of a great Dad and human being. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with all of us who feel the loss of Loren and miss him nightly when he doesn’t appear on our TV screens anymore. You have so much courage.Hugs to you and the family. Jackie Owens
Gorgeous!!!. Boy, you are a darn good writer. I can see/smell/hear/taste everything…and so can your darling Dad. XXXO
Beautifully written. Thank you for sharing. Happy Earth Day to you.
Amen
How beautiful! Such an organic tribute song. Thanks for sharing, Hannah! Seahag
Just exquisite!!! So full of love and devotion and inspiration. So full of Loren. Happy Loren Earth Day!
Thank you! Our goal—to make everyday Earth Day. The spirit of your dad is here with you and all of us.
Love what you wrote Hannah.
Beautiful! Simply beautiful.
Reblogged this on Hannah Jane Nancarrow and commented:
Happy Earth Day, Dad!
Such beautiful thoughts. We should all be so lucky to have someone remember us like this when we move on.
Happy Earth Day – may today be the source of may beautiful memories and hopes for the future.
-Juliette
BEAUTIFUL!
I so look forward to each one of your blogs!
So elequent, so true. Once one comes to truly believe that sort of thinking, life gets brighter and more meaningful.