my reflection was clear

Picture a place from your past that still feels vivid. What do you remember most?

It was my last outing of my exchange year. My host father had taken me to a pond. It was crystal clear. Surrounded by trees all around. The birds were quite. A soft wind was blowing. I was wearing boots because it was muddy at the way up to the pond. My hands were full of towels. The moment we stepped on the deck, I dropped all the clothes and removed my boots. I jumped directly into the water. It was ice cold. My host father jumped after me. I could feel the ripples of the water. We lapped around the water for a few minutes and then hopped onto the deck. With a towel around my shoulder I lied down on the deck. My host father and I then talked about life, my future and everything in between. We stayed like that for 2 hours. I still remember every single word he said to me. It was like I was standing at the finish line of one of the most important events of my life. I was grateful to have someone there. Someone who appreciated my presence and gave me tips for the future. Even today, when I feel uncertain I just close my eyes and I am taken back to that deck. Where I was soaking wet, water dripping everywhere, head full of uncertainty. But there was peace in that moment.