Glad to be back

As Dorothy said in The Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home.”

I’ll heartily second that view. Leaving the Valley for more than a few days always gives me a better appreciation for where I live upon my return.

I recently spent a few weeks in an urban environment. The “city life” felt crowded and rushed. There were trees, but not the lush landscapes of home. When I’m away from the mountains, I feel I’m missing something.

I was glad to finally leave the concrete and congestion behind, and get back to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.

Spring hadn’t completely finished sprinkling the landscape with bright new blooms as I got closer to home. Even the mountains looked wonderful in their new green blankets. I welcomed the sight of silos and barns, as well as the new lambs and calves. After weeks of cars speeding past me as if going to a fire and buildings jammed together with little open space, these were refreshing sights, indeed.

There’s nothing better for making me fall in love with the Valley all over again than being gone for a while.

The next time you’ve been away from the Valley, notice when you return whether you appreciate the beautiful place you live just a little more.

~~Colleen