Love Letter Series: Sparking Childlike Joy

Written and photographed by Missy Rentz

Dear Hammock(s), 

You entered my life about 15 years ago, after many years of longing for a hammock. I remember, as a kid, playing on hammocks whenever they were present. And even one time, at the beach, choosing to sleep on the porch in a hammock and listen to the waves crashing while swaying. I must have looked like the heart eyes emoji every time I would see one.  

Finally, at 35, I welcomed you into my life. Of course, I picked the brightest one in my local outdoor store. I would describe you as highlighter yellow, pink, and blue. I would swing in you on my back porch, reading, napping, and unwinding after a long day. And later, while living in New York City, we would escape into Central Park. As my career was growing, and adult responsibilities were piling on, when life seemed really heavy, it was moments swaying in you that provided glimpses of joy.

Ten years later, you became a fixture in my day-to-day life as I hit the road for a yearlong road trip. We traveled 48,000 miles together. We swayed in the snow at the Grand Canyon National Park and read books at the base of Kings Canyon National Park, looking up at the massive sequoia trees. You provided hours of entertainment with my nieces and nephews as you’d wrap around us, protecting us as we tried to swing as high as we could.

You’ve multiplied, expanding our hammock family for convenience and connection. Now, with three of you, we can create a perfect circle for conversation around a campfire or in the backyard. The memories that are made as we swing, and occasionally fall out of you and onto the ground, represent cherished times. It’s while swinging in you that I find the greatest laughter, peace, and joy. 

I think it’s important that we all have an opportunity to find moments to reconnect with joy, so much so that I’ve pivoted my career to teach this to individuals and organizations. And if you ask me, a hammock is one of the best ways to do that. So this summer, I’m challenging myself to spend 30 minutes a day with you for "My Hammock Summer." It didn’t take long before I ignored the timer and would spend hours resting, looking at the clouds, bathing in the full moon, catching up on my social scrolling. You’ve even been known to create an inspiring environment for blog writing or podcasting.

Hammock, you make life more joyful. You provide a space to allow me to reconnect with that part of me, where childlike glee resurfaces. Through the 140 National Parks and countless state and regional parks, you are at the ready when two trees are available for some swaying. 

Thank you for rocking me to sleep, supporting conversations and laughter, and swaying along with birdsong. I spent years helping people escape their lives. You've been quietly teaching me to love mine. If you have a hammock story of your own, I'd love to hear it. Joy is contagious, and I am not done catching it.

Love,

Missy

Author Bio

Missy Rentz is the founder of Catch Yourself Smiling, a well-being platform rooted in the outdoors, and the host of The Parks Podcast — 75+ episodes exploring America's public lands, how to use them, and why we love them. After a year-long, 48,000-mile road trip across the country, she emerged with a new mission: helping people who have been performing a life finally start living one. This summer, she started My Hammock Summer, a daily 30-minute hammock challenge that keeps proving joy is never as far away as we think.