Lately it seems like everything I do here involves a trip down memory lane. Which would make sense, I guess, given that I spent nearly a decade of my life here in Minneapolis. Except that it was a decade ago, as well. So much has changed in my life since I left. But so much remains the same, and I’m reminded of that in every little thing I do…
- Riding bikes with my daughters around the lakes? There’s where my husband and I met, playing beach volleyball. That’s where we creamed most of our 2-on-2 opponents. There’s where he proposed. The young, strong bodies now in our places on the sand courts look as if they belong there. Just like we felt we did.
- Catching the 10:00 news? I expected big changes, but so many of the talking heads are the same. (Hey! I remember when Belinda Jensen was a brand-new meteorologist!) But even they, with all their makeup and telegenic presence, look a little older to me. A comforting thought as I inch toward 40 in a couple of weeks. Crap, at least I don’t have to age on TV!
- Picking my way through Uptown for a homecoming haircut with my all-time favorite, now super-expensive stylist? Ah, I see Ragstock is still there… where my friends and I bought some vintage high school band uniforms to use as Halloween costumes. (You have never seen a more drunken bunch of marching idiots.) And hey! Falafel King has weathered the economic slump!
- Road-tripping to Wisconsin to see my parents? Thank God, here’s Tomah, the halfway point on the five-hour stretch of Highway 94. Wasn’t there a pretty clean bathroom in that rest stop? Here’s the turnoff, right before Madison but after Cascade “Mountain.” (Hah! scoffs the recent Colorado Rockies transplant.) And here comes Hustisford — but where’s the giant cow statue I once “milked” on a late-night dare? I’m practically home.
- Spelling my name for the lady at the drycleaner? Don’t bother — she knows to ask whether it’s SwensOn or SwensEn. “O-N or E-N?” she asks with a smile. You’ve got to love the Nordic influence around here. People just get each other. I don’t have to explain myself. How very odd.
Just heading to bed after a lovely neighborhood barbecue. I know I will feel at home here again soon, surrounded by such nice people. But right now, with all the memories coming at me from every-which-way, I’m feeling almost dizzy. Sometimes I even forget for a moment what city and state I’m sitting in. Please God, let that NOT be an early sign of dementia…
I just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and I’ll get there. I know this. I’ve done it before. I know it takes time. And I will get there. Get up, snuggle and feed the kids, make my coffee and a plan for the day. Take the first sip. Take another step forward.
It’s gonna be okay.
7 Comments
August 24, 2009 at 12:36 am
Hi Lea – ahhh, they are strange things, memories. Good because they make you feel comforted, but sometimes overwhelming because they make you wonder where you have been and if you can rest easy within them. I think anyway
Great post and I hope you settle soon. You will. Here it is strange for me because this is a new area in my country so everything is fresh. But still I wonder ‘will I fit in, will I make friends and feel comfortable?’ These journey’s are exciting though and they are what life is about 
PS. only just saw your reply comment – would love to feature on TMOTW! I haven’t blogged over there since my travels, but I’m trying to come up with a new ’subject’ to start on – maybe ‘learning to rest in my own country’ or something?????!!!!! Drop me an email to discuss if you like!!!!
August 24, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Alice, thanks for your note. It’s so nice knowing that someone out there can relate — even across the Pond!
Can’t wait to read all about your veg patch and new adventures as a settled-down creature. I suppose you have the most interesting challenge of all… deciding to stop traveling, then putting down roots in a new place within your home country. I wish you the very best, and look forward to learning from your acquired wisdom as you and I go!
Will email shortly re: tmotw. Would LOVE to feature you! I think the T-moms would be anxious to hear about how you’ve been.
September 1, 2009 at 11:17 am
Lea, I totally understand what you’re saying. On our vacation last week we visited three towns that I used to call home. At one point I felt as though I were being turned inside out like a shirt after the laundry. It’s good, but it’s a pull. Kind of like sitting in bathwater instead of taking a shower.
Hang in there, things will settle down. But use the way you are feeling! Hugs.
September 2, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Hey Heather – sounds like you guys had a great trip, complete with great photos!
It’s great hearing from you here. Now, what in tarnation do you mean by comparing your trip to sitting in bathwater? Does it have something to do with soaking in memories, as opposed to draining them away in the shower? I’m reaching here. Enlighten me! Just go slow, for my sake. 
I also loved your post on aging gracefully. I have one brewing in my head along those lines, too… we’ll see where takes me!
September 2, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Something like that! Showers and rivers allow the spent water to flow down and away from us, and rivers carry us forward. Lakes and baths are warm and safe, but sometimes you end up sitting in pee.
Can’t wait to see your next post! As an aside, I’ve been eating like crap for a week and a half and I’m all puffy and dehydrated. Time to get back on the wagon!
September 15, 2009 at 6:56 am
Lea, I love your blog!
November 19, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I hope that you are now adjusted and living well. Minneapolis always reminds me of that printed advertisement where a couple is windsurfing on land in the park…or is it the couple in an oversized bubble? Hopefully, you’ll know what I’m talking about.