Journey → The Remembrance of Friends
Being back in the bay area has been great. Having lived here most of my life I got used to living next to one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I didn’t think too much about the fact that people come from every nation to visit our wineries. We have access to great beaches, hiking, lakes, rivers, trees, and most of all, people.
Don’t get me wrong, I always valued the people around me and all the places I could go and things I could do. But having them completely inaccessible for three months has left me in a state of grand appreciation of everything I see. It’s like being a kid in a candy shop. When people are getting up early and going on an all day hike, I go. Before I might have said I was feeling lazy or had other things to do. Now I take advantage of every opportunity I can.
It’s great getting a call from a friend, go out for an impromptu trip to the driving range. Then get a call from other people who are meeting at so and so’s house to bbq or watch a movie. All the while texting and calling people scheduling the rest of the weekend. I have to admit, when in the recesses of ND I even missed the people I never particularly cared for. It’s so great to be around the variety, the ethnicity, and even the disparity and brokeness that seems to creep into the lives of many folks. Where I was in the Midwest it seemed most people hadn’t known the pains of life. Neither highs nor lows. Content to pass through enjoying the days, the straightness of roads, the predictability of life. It’s enviable to be sure, but not the life I’ve known, nor one I can ever.
Incidentally, I finally understand war. Having lived in a place that’s plain and ordinary I can see why people would fight to get to a better place. It’s not a surprise that some of the strongest advocates for peace come from the most beautiful places. They comfortably enjoy the spoils of war- fine wines, beautiful houses, thriving life. I wonder how long they’d march for tranquil stability if you took them out and put them in a desert.
Being back in the bay is great. Seeing old friends and making new. Enjoying the life I had, but with an entirely new appreciation.
