Places

I found it.

In every single place I've ever lived, I've looked for it. Sometimes it's obvious, sometimes accidental, and other times takes a long, determined search. Once in a while, the timing is a perfect surprise.

Like last night. I was sick this weekend, you know. I blame the exposure to this awful California climate. Not only does it cause hypertension by making me angry whenever I step out into the blistering heat, but when cool weather actually does decide to roll up, all of my immunity is shot. Two days of rain and 55 degree temps, and I was done for.

Luckily, it was on a weekend. I did nothing but alternately sleep on my couch or floor the entirety of saturday, pulling myself into vertical to stumble to the kitchen and get some food before sinking back down. It was super lonely, but I figured I needed all of my energy to focus on getting well. And it worked. By sundown, I was feeling good enough to leave the house and take a walk through the neighborhood.

It was a chance decision to take that one road up into the foothills. I got higher and realized how hungry I was for that kind of view, the bigger picture. But I couldn't see much--too many rich, fancy houses, you know. I was getting frustrated.

But...but. I found it in an empty lot, perched on the edge of a hill, facing the sunset. Safe, quiet, high above everything else. "It"--a place to go when I need to think, when I need to remember that there are bigger things than I, a place nobody else comes. It was perfect.

I never realize how much I need places like this until I find them.