I am connected to this bridge, forever in my heart...
I visited my home town this past month and spent time with my parents, brother, niece, many of my extended family and then my not-related family. Yes, those that are close enough to know us but not related by blood. I, honestly, have many people like this in my life. I cherish all of them.
Growing up in a small town of 5,000 people means that often everyone knows what everyone else is doing. This is true especially when your parents are involved in the community and when you live a block away from the town center like I did.
I look back whenever I visit home and sometimes still pinch myself because I now live in NYC where I am pretty much anonymous. Oh, don't get me wrong I have great friends and the people who work on my block wave and say hello, the regular places that I shop they say hello, my coworkers are great, etc. but it isn't anything like back home.
While I was home I took a little me time and visited my all time favorite place - The Footbridge. The footbridge is a bridge that spans a creek (it used to be a river prior to upstream damming) and is as long as a football field, at least.
This bridge is forever a part of me - it is where I would escape to when I was growing up. There is a peace at the bridge; nature surrounds you, it is beautiful, and it still embraces me.
I chose to take my shoes off and walk the bridge back-and-forth from one to end and back again. I then chose to take a ton of self portraits on the bridge. Me jumping, me sitting, me walking, - me just being at one of my favorite places.
This particular picture just sings to my heart and soul.
Do you have a favorite place?
I am linking up with Kat at Kat Eye Studio and her Photo Heart Connection today. Each month she asks us to review the photos that we have taken during the past month and select the photo that speaks to our heart. Please visit her blog and stalk the other participants posts - the photos are amazing and the stories that have been written about them are touching.
A beautiful story...I noticed in your tags you have Wisconsin. Lots of small towns there, my family comes from the Door County area. I enjoyed your story!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, I recently made a trip home to the UK to visit my family and I also have a small bridge that I used to hang out on as a kid. I always make a point to visit it and reminisce. Love the image you chose and the memories it invokes.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post Lori. I moved too much as a kid to develop attachments to too many places. I still remember favourite spots in a couple of them though. We've lived in our current house for seven years now, my longest ever by almost three years, so I guess my absolute favourite spot is the chaise I'm typing in right now. Where I can reach out to the world, if I want, or can read a book and visit another world. Where I am smothered by cats and can watch the world drive by my front window. xx
ReplyDeleteLori, I feel the depth of your connection to the photo, and to the place, in your words. And your joy! That you have this special place; that it is part of you regardless of where you live; that you can celebrate it when you visit. It all comes through. Thank you so much for sharing this in the Photo-Heart Connection, and for visiting the other participants!
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, it was lovely to read your connection to that bridge and how you took off your shoes to get the feel of that connection even more. A lovely post with a fun photo!
ReplyDeleteLori,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this, seeing your self image on that footbridge, reliving that moment and that place through your words. Going home. A pilgrimage back to our roots. You captured this well in your writing.
As I saw the title to this post I immediately wondered if you were aware of Kat's heart connection series. And, you are! What a lovely place and memories. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteLori girl.... i hadn't been to your lovely blog for a visit in a while. Too long. I caught up on some of your past posts... soooooo beautiful. Everything. The photos, the writing. So precious. I love how you appreciate your parents. :-) I'm sure they so love having you there. And that bridge. O-M-G... it looks amazing! This photo of you walking the bridge in your bare feet - just perfect. I loved your story. After reading it, i felt that special connection to the bridge too. :-) My "special place" is probably the ocean. Thanks for sharing this girl. I'll drop you a line soon. i have lots to share. :-) love ya! xoxo
ReplyDeleteLoved your story and photo. Now I miss home even more..
ReplyDeleteI like your story and your photo so much, its good to read about this sometimes.
ReplyDeleteSo very beautiful, great story and great photo-heart connection
ReplyDeleteLovely to read your heart connection and I love your photo - great composition and pov.
ReplyDeletewhat a great place Lori, i love this photo heart connection. Thanks for sharing this story & your heart :)
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed reading this...wonderful photo heart connection! Love the shot!
ReplyDeleteI can see the appeal of this image-the light on your feet a sense of assurance and spring in step. glad you had time to not only visit "your" bridge, but to play on it as well. a lovely gift to self.
ReplyDeleteWonderful image... a deep connection to your roots, that is fabulous!
ReplyDeletehome is the place we feel the most ourselves and connected. it is wonderful that you have such fond memories of your home. the photo you selected to share is perfect for your words.
ReplyDeleteLove the story you shared of your return home! Beautiful image to go along with it!!
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