Longing for the Isles

I grew up in Colorado. Been here most of my life. But I always dreamt of the day I would travel. After high school, I went to Boston to a theatre school. While the city itself held some pretty neat sights and opportunities, I was so homesick, I couldn't enjoy it. Here I was, thinking I was going to be on Broadway one day, but I just couldn't stand being that far from home. Two whole times zones away!

Went to school in Arizona at that point, and wound up in L.A. of all places. I thought I had City Girl in me. And I loved my time there. My parents came for frequent visits, and I worked for the happiest place on earth. But something still called me home.

I've lived in several big cities, and after marrying, several small towns. Colorado, though, will always be home. This was where my dad brought us when I was very young. He loved the mountains and the fresh air. He loved the fact that he lived at a higher elevation than the rst of his family. I always used to joke with folks in Virginia - our speed bumps have a higher elevation than your mountains. Not being mean! It's fact!

This afternoon, as I sit down to write, I am drinking tea and listening to Celtic music. And I'm thinking about home. What is it about those mountains that I love so much? I think it relates back to my heritage. My ancestors on my mother's side came from Scotland. My dad's last name is of Welsh background. Celtic blood flows through my veins.

Now I know that the United Kingdom doesn't have mountainous peaks. But the rocky terrain is very similar. There's one place I can think of between Limon and Colorado Springs where rocks jut out from a grassy hillside. I look for it every time we drive through. I imagine the island home of my people.

I've never been there, but one day, I hope to go. I want to immerse myself in the history. I've always loved kings and queens (particularly Henry VIII and Elizabeth I). I want to lie down in a grassy meadow - become one with the rhythms of the land. I want to see castles and villages. See what it's like in real life...because in my imagination, it's pretty grand.

But sometimes, I wonder if it's better in my head. I had opportunity to travel across the world. I went to Singapore, Bali, and Australia when I worked for a cruise line. And I was miserable. But those were parts of the world that I never cared to see. So I'll continue to cling to the dream of my beautiful Isles. And if that dream comes true, I'll enjoy it for what it is.

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