Before I commence this short declaration, I should turn to a statement I made almost 2 years ago:
There are times where we each must put away from ourselves that which seems a complete part of us. For this man, it was the life of a cowboy; and I, my traveling. And soon, I shall take to the road once more as an over-the-road trucker, which will be no less in-my-bones when the time comes to sever it.That time is now. A cold breeze stirs off Lake Michigan. It causes my heart to bloom, filled with memories of Wisconsin leas and rock-outcroppings, and Michigan fruit arbors. A scent like sweet cherries drifts along the same wind that makes the leaves dance upon leaning trees. It is the sweetest July day I could dream of, all this in Gary, Indiana. I pause at the crest of a road, a small rise to the right covered in gentle grass green and tan, and the sun pouring through an opening to the left. I lean the bike beside the fence and stand upon it to see over. A dump to the left gives way to a wondrous pond bordered by marsh grasses, glittering in the late sun. What a tender day. You may wonder what of this land deemed the "rust belt" could hold my heart so, but I say to that, "We see the world not as it is, [We see the world] as we are." Mulberries are present and wild grapes are just beginning to form, reminding me of the sweet summer food that I will get to feel back in the Carolinas soon. I imagine being approached by a commissioner of culture police and asked, "I was called out here b/c of reports of attempted trespassing. What are you doing looking over that fence?". I imagine to reply, "Can't you see why? I don't believe its wrong to be connected to this earth and with all the beauty it has to tell. The vista from this fence is peaceful and worth a few hours of contemplation over. I don't need to go to a State Park to appreciate that. Its all around you. Look. See." I cannot imagine this would win much of a man of uniform, albeit he is just as human and able to feel as I, but that's another tale. I love this land of Lake Michigan marshland. This is the place where the Lord carved for me a new life. Feelings of safe-ness and gratitude abound in this heart. That, and God's creations and the beauty they share are very hard to erase entirely. Given as little as five years alone to its own ways, its vigor and virility triumphs. I'm quite ready to face it bravely.
