Yesterday I walked a couple miles down a beaten down highway about an hour outside of Chicago in a place called Hebron, Indiana. I’ll, most likely, never go back. Miss, Tay, and I were there for one reason and one reason only. Taylor had a soccer game to play.
Before his game, however, I went out for an early morning walk down Highway 2 and up Mississippi street. The walk wasn’t particularly scenic but I really enjoyed it nonetheless. Here’s why.
After crossing under I-65, I noticed an old Dutch Barn that was on it’s last leg. My mind immediately raced back to one of my Dad’s old friends, Mr. King. Mr. King lived in Heston, Kansas and he had always wanted a Dutch barn on his property to remind him of his homeland. Somewhere in his 50’s, he built it.
It was a beautiful barn. Yesterday, my minds eye captured it anew.
As I continued onward toward Mississippi street, I noticed a row of trailer homes on the right. They were neat and tightly packed together. A few had the choice lots toward the back that appeared to be fairly wooded but I was taken by one in particular that faced highway 2. The owner of this trailer and set out two plastic, green chairs. These chairs, I thought, are for the owners viewing pleasure. I smiled as I imagined somebody really enjoying this view. How could they…
The trash, the rundown road, the highway, the interstate, the truckstop, the repair shop, the run down barn, and the empty restaurant building with the tractor trailer announcing a close out sale down the way. And then it hit me that one man’s trash is another mans treasure. And maybe there was beauty to behold if I could catch the “trailers” perspective. And, I looked again.
This time I noticed the flowers all around me, the beautiful and freshly mowed grass, the birds and their songs, the trees and the popping of their new growth, the water that was overflowing it banks and led my eyes to notice the Aristocrat Pear tree, just like the three we’ve planted in our yard, in full bloom right next to me. How could I have missed this beauty, I wondered.
My attitude in going on this trip had been fairly lousy. Five hours for one game in the middle of nowhere. Maybe I had primed myself the wrong way. Maybe, I do this more than I know. My attitude toward much I see as mundane may offer me the hidden chance to see so much more.
My attitude may offer me the chance to change what I see?
I’m 52. I’ve got 20-40 more Springs to see, if I live as long as my Dad or as long as my Dads Dad. I am going to look for more and more of the beauty. As a child, I remember celebrating “May day” at school and not thinking much of it. Today, I’m celebrating it again. Maybe, for the first time. Maybe with a new perspective. Maybe a change is coming. May be.
My attitude already feels like it’s MAY…
BUILT TO LEAD 
glad to see you talking about May Day.
May Day has always been a special day for our family and even more so now. My sister was born on this day. She is and was the only sister we have / had. She died at a very youg age. My Mother still does May baskets in the middle of the night. I caught her this year as she recruited my brother to drive her around in the middle of the wee hours to leave her hand made baskets full of candy and flowers on her special friends doors. I always felt like we were the only ones that still do this and remember. our May Day is even more special as we get to remember too.