So, as some of you may know, I was given an
opportunity to attend an Idaho Writer's Conference a couple weekends ago, and
one of the classes I took was on Effective Composition.(I will be sharing a
blog post about this soon!) Literally forty-minutes of the class was a free
write where we wrote about something with elements from the class, and applied
it in the writing. One prompt, so to speak, was of a place. Now, I could have
written about anything really, as I have several places that have made an
impact upon my life and bring back a lot of nostalgia, like all the time, or
anytime I see pictures. I have already written something on this particular
place/experience, but knew that I could improve, so this is what I came up with
during the class that I found particularly inspiring.
The feeling of
busy-ness and speed surrounded me at every curve. The traffic whirled past me,
and I had to wonder where in the world I was, and how in the world I had gotten
there. This unfamiliar yet familiar piece of ground I had arrived on, felt so
new and yet held so many amazing memories that I couldn’t help but remember and
fantasize over for the future of returning to. Now I was finally back, ready to
take on a whole new and exciting experience with nine other people I didn’t
know.
The place was buzzing with activity,
but yet, seemed so calm and peaceful on the inside, completely opposite from
the activity happening on the streets around me. I take a deep breath of fresh
air into my lungs and say, “Okay, let’s do this.” Six short weeks later, after
my time here is done, I look around me at the intricate designs and details
that I haven’t been able to fully look at until now. A smile crosses my face as
I recount memory after memory that occurred here. I could barely hold back the
tears. As I watch the last of my colleagues enter the elevator doors, I sigh
with sadness. I make my way down the long staircase to the car waiting for me.
I longingly gaze back towards the big cement building. Amazement surrounds me
as I start to wonder, “Will I have the chance to be back in this beautiful
town? Will I ever be able to associate with these wonderful people again? Will
my heart still feel the same when the memories have faded and time has gone by?
What will our reunion be like? When will I ever get a chance to reminisce and
come back? What will others remember about the service I was able to render?
So many questions fumble around in my
brain as I buckle my seatbelt and I begin driving away. I catch a single tear
fall from my cheek, and brush it away. “I’ll be back someday,” I whisper
silently into the void. “I won’t forget my time here. I most certainly can’t
forget you…”
The laughter that echoed through the
walls when Aaron did something funny, Hunter’s beautiful piano skills, the long
debates between Jacob and Anna, the screams from the basement when Slender man
jumped out from a computer screen, Kaitlyn’s sarcastic comments to clear the
air, the smells of food always present in some secret room in the Capitol,
Samantha’s protective goldfish face, Hannah’s artistic skills, Jordan’s smile,
Allison’s blonde moments learning how to work a microwave. The many tours we
had the opportunity of attending, the endless pager beeps of new tasks waiting
to be completed, the magical secret entries only opened with special
permission, the prohibited sound of candy wrappers opening on the Senate Floor
during session. Senators busy at work, passing notes, security guards on high
alert, the sound of the gavel hitting the Lieutenant Governor’s pulpit, and
everything in between.
I look back on my time spent in Boise
as a blessing, not a curse. Not just a full time job, but a rather a
self-fulfilling period of my life where I found true joy. I still find myself
thinking about the “Good Old Days”, wishing those opportunities could have
extended into eternity. To this day I will always hold dear those memories, the
tender experiences, and especially the people, in my heart forever.
Such an experience cannot simply be
forgotten. Until next time, Boise.
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