I've always loved/dreamed of living in this neck of the woods! As time trickled on though I had a tendency to zillow other locations and see what home we could be buying instead of being crammed in a condo. I would also tell people not from here, "well there aren't too many great places to go out to eat (coming from a foodie who left Salt Lake, the food melting pot of the world) and shopping is well . . . ." My husband and I had talked about maybe transferring with work someday but it really wasn't an option and I hoped that we would be well and happily settled or some amazing opportunity would take us to some magical place. Then he made a phone call and said "where do you want to go?" I bawled a thousand tissues, my heart would not let me leave this place, not now, maybe not ever. I all of a sudden didn't care if we had an office and craft room in our future home. I didn't care if I ever saw a shopping mall again, in fact I despised the thought of a shopping mall. This was the magical place! These are my mountains! I spent my childhood in these mountains. I love them and they love me! I haven't had near enough time to know each of them as well as I want to and I'm sure I won't want to leave once I have. I told my hubby I would go wherever if he thought it was better for our family, but inside my heart was breaking it felt like a break up but worse! I don't know how to live in a city after this, I never liked cars driving everywhere and people consuming all the time. I love the clean air. The slow pace of life. People walking, biking, and jogging to their destinations. Getting to know people and seeing them again. People who know and care about me. Spending time with my friends trail running and hiking. Not so many unimportant demands, and more meaningful demands. After drying my tears we got in the car and drove to Aspen to one of our favorite places to dine. I almost didn't want to go, I felt it would be too painful seeing all that I love and knowing I couldn't have it anymore. I took crappy car pictures of mountain tops. But you know what the magic of the mountains worked over my husband and while we aren't completely decided he is on my side. The only thing taking us away is more paid vacation and a pension but right now I'm just going to let that slide till it feels right to move, because right now it doesn't. Here is my favorite poem I ever wrote, this marks it's 10 year anniversary, it's one of my favorites and may not be used without my permission.
Colorado
I open my eyes
I tilt my head to see
in the perfection of the first hours
crushing grace in its fullest magnitude
I feel so protected
shadows sculpt each rocky dimension
hiding views, waterfalls, and the rich memories that only the few that were there will ever remember
From the corner of my eye
I see the mountain in flames
the swirling clouds painting
a new picture every second
I taste the wild fruit naturally pure and sweet
I hear the rushing water of
the single Aspen spread miles long
I truly understand why rarely
found Columbines are not to be plucked
I feel this place created with joy
a solitudinous garden a masterpiece in
HIs very own eyes
I close my eyes and listen to the silence
of the full moon upon the snow
I feel power and miles of privacy hiking up a thousand foot summit
carving the freshest possible
most untouched powder at midnight
I feel so far away like
I'm on another planet
I see the Milky Way arched
over my body starting
from one end of the Earth
and ending at the other
the stars like windows to other galaxies
so concentrated I can taste their silver purity
I open my eyes and I am home
