This morning, as my bus rolled down the highway, I looked out over the Minnesota River Valley, covered in a thick blanket of fog. It brought back memories of some of the beautiful places I’ve had the privilege of living.
Far West Suburbs of Chicago – quaint in its hometown nature, but just an hour’s drive to downtown, which can also be done by train (yes, people, it’s called a train – none of this light rail business – the Metra can moooove). Swedish days and sidewalk sales. Home (I think a part of me will always feel that it’s home there – I did spend the first 18+ years of my life there).
Judson – nestled down in the valley between the highway and the river, completely shut off from the world. The bridge over the creek that runs through town. The trees that are perfect for sitting under. The view of the athletic fields from the upper commons. The drive into campus down that hill (not the main entrance). The little area between the library and the student services building.
San Francisco – low-hanging fog, sometimes all day long. The bridges over the bay. John Muir Redwood Forest. Brightly painted Victorian houses. Each little neighborhood, with its personality and individuality, all uniquely beautiful. The food, oh, the food! Golden Gate Bridge park. The little town across the bridge (not Oakland – the other bridge).
Michigan – the sweet, loving, generous, innocent kids I worked with. Orange Spice Mochas at the coffee shop near the bookstore where I worked part time. Quiet and slow-paced. Living on my own for the first time. Dirt roads, farm animals, and fenced-in fields. Dewy Sunday mornings. Nighttime star gazing.
Arizona – rusty colored rock formations. Dry, dusty stretches of land. Forest-covered mountains. Gentle, kind people who were struggling just to get by. Rich history. Thunderstorms. Stars.
Twin Cities – lakes, lakes, and more lakes! A few river valleys too. Historic houses with stories. People who truly appreciate spring, summer, and fall. Cherry blossoms. Diversity. Urban wildlife (rabbits, squirrels, and the occasional pheasant, to name a few). Sunny winters. St Paul Cathedral.
I can think of a few more beautiful places that I’ve had the pleasure to spend a bit of time in….
Washington DC (national monuments, green grass), San Diego (sunshine, ocean, seals, colorful flowers), Seattle (ocean, flowers in February, relaxed atmosphere), Santa Barbara (flowers, sunshine, vineyards, great views), Romania (old buildings, peaceful country retreats, early mornings with dew-covered grass in absolute peace), Hungary (bridges, history, quaint), Florida (ocean, sun), Tennessee / Kentucky (nighttime star gazing), South Dakota (carved rocks, buffalo, rural, truly “away from it all”), North Carolina (toes in the sandy ocean, sand dunes, fresh seafood, coastal living), Denver (mountains), Grand Marais (lake Superior, peninsulas, forests, quiet walks)….
Where do you see beauty in your life today?
