A list of interesting(-to-me) things I saw on my drive last week:
1. a great skyline under a hazy sunrise (bye, Chicago! See you later!)
2. the biggest American flag I have ever seen, flying over farmland, no less
3. clouds in a horizontal cylinder that stretched on for miles (I know - I wish I had taken a picture. Sounds boring, but it was actually kind of fascinating.)
4. world’s largest cross (I am not sure if this is its official title, but man, there is a lot of Jesus in central Illinois)
5. the mighty Mississippi, as I crossed the border into Missouri (and there’s a surprise: um, didn’t actually realize I would be driving through Missouri. Geography lesson!)
6. dead coyote (you know, interesting to me)
7. a bright yellow bi-plane flying over a farm in Arkansas
8. dead armadillo (getting close!)
9. 3 hitchhikers (well, two were definitely hitchhikers, one woman was walking along talking on her cell phone, which just seemed out of place for someone who would ask strangers for a ride)
10. red pavement (why are the highways in Arkansas red?)
11. a Texas-shaped stone set into a brand new overpass in Texarkana (and then there were some tears)
12. a billboard with a photo of George W. Bush, and the caption, “Miss me yet? How’s all that hope and change working out so far?” (oh shit, did I make a mistake?)
13. this note, tucked into a gift basket by my dear friend, Angie, welcoming me home
I’ve fallen down on the job of writing over the past couple of weeks. I can’t help but feel guilty. Why, I’m not exactly sure - it’s not as if anyone’s out there hanging on my next word - but I suppose it feels like I’m failing myself somehow. The world has been changing so quickly over here, and I can allow myself the out that more important things have required my focus, but I’m still a bit sad that I didn’t make the time to record at least some of it out here in the open. So. Let’s call this a renewed commitment.
With that, I think I need to remind myself that I can’t catch it all on the page, and that’s okay. Lately, there’s a story (or two or three) running through my mind every day, me thinking of how to phrase it as I wander on a walk or sit in my car or even lay on a blanket looking at the sky. It’s strange, how writing will do that to you - always thinking of the story, sometimes to the exclusion of enjoying the moment. Rest assured though - the moments, on the whole, these days, are being enjoyed.
It’s so good to be home.
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So glad you're back where you feel at home! Can't wait to talk with you and hear all about the events of the past few weeks.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the time was not right during the 'during' to chronicle all that has happened, but I for one would love to get the story, told in any way you wish, of the shifts that have been occurring within and around you. I'll keep checking back for any reflections that ask to be written or shared. In the meantime, keep noticing the sights and sounds, and keep enjoying the moments.
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