I had an adventure. I went to visit my son, who lives near Washington, D.C. This 66 year old woman ventured beyond the dirt road. I had no idea how profoundly it would affect me-something got into my thoughts and being that I desperately needed. I was able to leave the 'me' that I knew behind, back on that farmland and old house and tree-full beauty-ness; I saw some things inside me that I hadn't been able to see before. It had been very many years since I had ventured much beyond those trees and hills...
The beautiful sameness of my home had also created a stuck person. I saw spiritual things that needed changing. And just everyday things that needed changing.
I hope to put the 'seeing' into 'doing.'
One of the things my son and I did was to tour the city-on foot. It's big. My feet told me so. We went to the Smithsonian American Art Museum. I saw an original Grandma Moses painting, Edward Hopper, Audubon...It was overwhelming. I got inches from some of the paintings so I could look at the brushstrokes.
I saw the back of the White House-from a distance. The Washington Monument. The Capitol-from a distance. I saw LOTS of people.
I was on highways that were a bit scary and on the Metro-went under the Potomac River! The Metro was quite an experience, to say the least.
While we were in the city, I saw homeless men, sleeping on steps or benches. We were within walking distance of fabulous paintings worth millions of dollars, and yet these men had all their belongings in plastic bags. Who decides what is worthy, and what isn't? We do, and shame on us...
11 comments:
Glad you were able to step out of yourself on your trip. The photos are beautiful. And it is an everlasting shame that in rich countries some people are homeless and live on the streets. All men are equal? Unfortunately not. Hugs, Valerie
Congratulations! Time with your son is fantastic. What an adventure!
All the highway traffic itself feels like engaging in extreme hiking on wheels. Glad you saw beautiful art.
Let me guess...the best thing about your trip to Washington was the time spent with your son. I can imagine all the catching up you two had to do. To visit the Smithsonian Art Museum surely must have been a dream come true. Now, I know Sam is happy to have you back home.
Thank you Debra for sharing your wonderful experience of your youth scenery. They are usually covered with some kind of sweetness and happiness, and the real nowadays life is hard to see without 'pink glasses'... You have there great places to visit, and poor people are the heart breaking experience because contrast is so big. We cant change the world to be perfect but hopefully we continue to do what we can...
I wish you healthy and good spirited September a head xx
Stepping out these days is hard. I find myself wondering where every person I see is on the Covid risk scale. But we do all we can to be safe and must step out at times. I also feel stuck at home often, have even felt myself becoming reclusive. A trip like yours which I’m sure you took with all the protocols in place may be what I need. I am considerably older though, so I will tread lightly, but like you, only with family. Congrats on being open to the positive effect your journey had on you. You have a very considerate son to see that you had a chance to see everything just when you feel you needed it most!
PS…stunning photos!
It is a good reminder, isn't it? Having a bit of time away from the security of home, visiting a city with so much art and history on offer, and having your son be your guide and companion. I need to heed your experience and get that kind of refreshing mindset. :)
My goodness what an interesting blog post for us to read this week. I felt as if I'd travelled to Washington DC with you. Like you, I have been stuck in this same place for years. I really would like to get out and about a bit too. I would love to have visited the art gallery and seen a Grandma Moses painting. But the contrast between the art, which is after all just paint on paper, and the homeless guys living on the pavement is a sad indictment on the values of our society these days...you are right!
My SIL is stationed at Quanco. When I visited there we went to DC and walked everywhere. We did get up and close to the WH. We hit many of the Smithsonian art museums. Including the Holocaust museum. It was an amazing time. Yes the traffic is more than I can drive in and the metro was so much fun for me. I am glad you were able to go there. Thanks for bringing some good memories to me also.
Dear Debra - what a wonderful post. I too need to travel from home...like you I stay pretty much in the same place and don't move from my comfort zone. Thinking it is about time I did like you and took a bit of a trip...certainly need a bigger perspective. Thanks for sharing your trip. Bet that art about swept you off your feet. I know when I was able to see Andrew Wyeth's paintings when they traveled to our part of the world was transported to another world. Hope you have a great weekend. Hugs!
Love this post! So wonderful that you got to visit your son and to be able to visit the Smithsonian! That is something I have longed to visit! It is good to get out of one's "nest" and to see what is happening in the bigger part of the world. Yes, I am always amazed at what people deem as worthy, valuable and important.
Post a Comment