Because the Road also Leads Me Back Home
In 2008 I got to travel a little more than usual, and as I’m about to head to New York in the first week of 2009 I’m hopeful that the trend may continue.
I do love to see new places, experience a different view of life and let my eyes (and camera) drink in sights that I just can’t find here. But more than anything, I love the feeling I get when I return home.
There’s something about coming home again that lets you see it anew. When I’m here all the time, I can’t completely appreciate what’s special about West Virginia. It takes the contrast of being away, of realizing the parts of us that other places lack, to help me to see how good we’ve got it.
When I came home from Arizona, the curves of our green hills looked lush and dense, with creeks hidden in shaded valleys under a moody, ever-changing sky. Sure, it was all there before, but my eyes just coasted right on over it. Baltimore helped me appreciate our quiet. Our slower pace fits me just right, but until I was immersed in something different I couldn’t even feel how right this place was for me.
I expect to find things I’ll love about New York. Thanks to movies and TV, we’re all so familiar with NY that it’s practically America’s collective hometown. I know I’ll have a great time with my friends, feel a sense of awe from the man made splendor that is Manhattan and (hopefully, hopefully!) I’ll end up where I’m supposed to be and get a sense of accomplishment over that simple feat as well. (I don’t take that for granted, arriving where I set out to go. It’s all a part of the adventure!)
But I’m a simple girl, and one of the things I’m looking forward to is how the trip will open my eyes again when I return home.
We shall not cease from exploration
and the end of all our exploring
will be to arrive where we started
and know the place for the first time.
~T.S. Eliot
Stay tuned for some views of New York!
January 14th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Sarah, as usual you have a wonderful way of getting us to feel right along with you. I’ve missed you and your posts.
I hope your trip to NYC was all you wanted. Lucky! I so wanted to be back there even if only for a couple of days.
Wishing your 2009 brings you many blessings.