This morning I made up my mind to take a walk. I should do that all the time but I think it’s a habit and I’m not great at it. Anyway, I was going to walk the fields and take the dogs but they were in the barn and so was the bull. So I decided to ride out to Fancy Farm and walk around town.
I like to walk the cemetery in Fancy Farm. I’ve always done this. There is so much history, so much love, and so much peace in that place. As I parked my car and looked over Father’s yard, I thought I could have been in any European estate. Father has such a green thumb but more than that, he’s a planner and he has built our landscape into nothing but beauty. I wanted to go sit under the trees and feel the slight breeze but told myself I had to get my walk in.
I used to pray the rosary as I walked. I haven’t done that in years. But I did today. It was the Glorious Mysteries today and if no one is around I will shout out each decade of the rosary and hold out each “glooooooooriiiiiioooouuusss”. Don’t judge. I think the residents of the cemetery appreciate that. I, at least, let them know I’m there.
As I rounded the first turn I realized that it was hotter than I thought. I also realized that I hadn’t walked in awhile and sweat was starting to bother me. I really don’t like to sweat. I told myself I needed to walk for 15 minutes at least.
Coming up that hill is a lot. But I made the hill and then ventured onto the second lap. All while I’m doing this I notice graves I had never noticed before. I’m not one to pry but thought I would venture out later and see who was new.
When I made my second lap I thought about Father’s yard again and decided to scope it out. I knew he was busy with other things and wouldn’t mind. I stayed on the paths and almost sat for awhile but then remembered my happy place. I went down from the church into the Grotto to finish my rosary.
I love our Grotto. It is in the middle of town and everyone can see you there as they drive through town. It’s not exceptionally pretty but my heart about melts as I walk down the beautiful path and round the corner to see the statue of the Blessed Mother. There are some changes I would make if someone would give me a paint brush but overall there’s not a more peaceful spot in town. I took up the flowers I had placed there for my granddaughter’s birthday. I went to sit on one of the benches that were donated several years ago and have a discussion with Mary. I ended my walk on my phone and was able to take a picture which I got to share. And then I got to thinking about our town.
I’ll say this, there’s a lot of people going through out town. Of course, there’s people going to eat breakfast or drink coffee at Droopy’s. The people going to Mass start showing up. Obviously there’s lots of traffic of people dropping their kids at school. I remember those days. You’re in a hurry and you’re running late and you can’t get there fast enough. The businesses are starting to open, people going to work. The farmers are going through town on their way to a day of harvest. And there are walkers. Everywhere. I mean, everywhere. Everyone seems to walk around town and it’s fun to watch to see who’s out there, who they’re with. Don’t get in their way though because they’re fast and they’ll run you over, even if you’re driving.
And as all of this is going on I thought, where else in the world is anywhere like this? Nowhere. Yes, some things might be better. Some places have really nice parks to walk in. Lots of places have specialty coffees and stuff. Lots of big cities have started small neighborhoods to make you feel as though you live in a small town but with the conveniences of living in a big city. But looking at the overall picture, there’s nothing better, especially if you have a slight breeze keeping you comfortable and the sun smiling down on you.
Morning has broken in Fancy Farm and I’m really glad I get to experience it.