I spent most of my adult life trying to be in The Adirondacks but with one simple little right turn .. I have found myself in Heaven. Tonight, I revel in the glory of fate.
I wake at 5:15, hearing the birds that sound like Jewish mothers scolding their children. “ “Are you up yet? It’s time to get up!” But I take a deep breath of the clean air coming in my open window as I pull up the covers and go back to sleep. He gets up. He likes his coffee with the chipmunks who chitter away at him. He “chitters” back and they scurry back and forth. The “children” began to sing loud and harmoniously around 7am which is when I decide it’s almost time to get up. I make my breakfast and drink my coffee in this old 1700 back half of a farm house, with old wooden floors and rough wood beams in the kitchen. I look forward to going to work because my drive from Chatham into Stockbridge is spectacularly green and lush… all the way. No traffic lights, 4 way intersections, no annoyingly rude drivers. Just 25 minutes of sweet peace as I get ready for my day. (I realize I may not feel the same way deep into Winter but today, I will appreciate that which is…) I work in a country store that has been around for 220 years! Think about what that means! Think about who was coming into my store to buy staples like flour and sugar, fabric for making clothes, penny candy for the children! We’re talking the war of 1812, the civil war.. living history! I think that I have always been a merchant and I feel the magic of the past working here.
My drive home is no less spectacular. I get home and he greets me. We sit on the front porch and chat about our day. After dinner, I go for a walk. The wildflowers are my most plentiful neighbors with fields and meadows filled with Sweet William. I walk down the road and know the peace of the woods because it is everywhere I turn. I look ahead and know that I could walk for hours and hours and never hear the discord of the noisy city.
He does not ask me where I’ve been or question how long I have been gone. He is simply happy to see me return. We settle in for a little TV before the train whistle tells me it is time for bed.
The road has taken me in many directions. I think this time, it has brought me home.
It is good to feel you belong wherever you are. but it is especially wonderful to feel you belong in the place where you are living. So Happy Cathie that you are finally in a good place, physically and mentally
ReplyDeleteIt's great but I miss you! will need a get together soon!
DeleteCathie . . . I have reaad a few of your blogs - maybe not all the way through for I have a reading problem. Anyway you sure can write. You can make the mundane interesting I might say. You have a knack for writing you should sit down - if not already - to write a book. A blog sort of book. these are quite interesting.
ReplyDeletethank you Jonn Paul. I do enjoy the power of words. I am enjoying your trip as well and I'm sure that it has brought you to a new appreciation of your heritage.
DeleteCathie, this is lovely. You really capture your feelings about your surroundings and the turn in the road you've taken. I agree -- you have a wonderful gift for writing.
ReplyDeleteCathie, I am happy to see that the move has brought a lot of positive energy to you! Can't wait to see you soon.
ReplyDelete