Those Hills and That Mountain

The view at the top of the quarry still catches my breath.

Rolling, green hills bathed in early evening sunlight. An occasional house or barn spotting the hillside. And, when I look further to the west, in the haze, I see That Mountain.

That Mountain that I lived and studied next to during my four years at college. Mt. Greylock.

I was overjoyed the first time I spotted it. At first I wasn't quite sure, but then I saw the familiar top of that tower, and the Lime-Marble Quarry next to it on the left.

I met some of the most important people in my life while living next to that mountain. I met my husband within the first 5 months of being there. I met amazing women and men who I forged lifetime friendships with: friendships that always pick up where they left off.

I laughed, cried and learned so much at the base of that mountain. It was where I became independent for the first time in my life. Whew, that was a sharp learning curve. Bye-bye, savings account!

How is it possible that it was 12 years ago that I started those adventures?

I look at that mountain now, and remember the excitement I felt about going back there to start another school year. I remember leafing through the Target flier, looking for good deals on all that I thought I needed to have that year. I remember feeling sad about leaving Goshen because it had finally started to feel like home again after being back for 3.5 months, but also feeling relieved because I longed to be independent again.

I look, smile, and remember. Then I look down the hill, towards our house, and think about my college sweetheart and the two kids in their beds that exist because of us meeting by that mountain. I call Maggie, and pull Scout's leash, and walk down off the quarry with a warm heart.