Each morning for 30 minutes I speed walk, listen to Alison Kraus and take in the views of the water, bridges, boat docks, public art, landscape and Louisville skyline. I'm on the paths of Waterfront Park - the 85 acre green space between downtown and the Ohio River.
Six years ago, I started walking here. I was pregnant with my daughter. Moments later it seemed, I was pushing her in a stroller. Then I was biking, with her in a seat behind. Before long, she was biking as I walked.
For the last five weeks, I've been pulled back to this place. Each morning, without thinking why (until now), I’m here at the river. But now I’m alone as I take in these views. My daughter has started first grade. Knowing those precious times with her have passed is sad, yet being at the river is not. It nurtures. It gives me peace and inspiration.
As I walk, I wonder about my seeming need for these views. Wherever I’ve lived, I’ve depended on the views – the one’s that fill my visual field and make my mind still.
Aren’t the experiences that bring us comfort links to moments in our childhood - moments that left an imprint even if not on our daily thoughts? I try to remember what I saw as a child. Initially nothing comes. Then the memories - the views take shape …..a deep valley from high in the Alps, the approach to Venice from a ferry, Notre Dame from a bridge over the Siene River, the Mediterranean from a beach in Barcelona...
My father’s career in the Air Force had taken us to Asia and Europe, but it was my parent’s sense of adventure that took us to ‘see the world’. While living in Munich - just one of the places we called home - my parents, three siblings and I traveled across Europe in a Pinto station wagon, set up our tent and took in views few other six to ten year old American children had.
As I walk further, I start to wonder about the views of this waterfront that I haven't seen …. yet. What do those men working on the Big Four Bridge see? How long until they finish, so I can walk up that circular ramp and have their view. What are those women on the rowing team seeing as they move across the water? How can I ......
But it's 8:30 - time to part and say goodbye again to this place which has made me stop to feel, to remember, to dream and... now to write.
Views from the Big Four Bridge can be seen at my next post, "A Bridge to Somewhere"