Monday musings

As I walked around DC on Wednesday night - braving the cold and wind to visit a few monuments with my siblings - I was overwhelmed with memories. Memories of monument hopping on warm summer nights with my college roommates. Of visiting those same monuments with my parents on countless trips to the District when I was little. Of wanting more than anything to live there someday.

And then, in the days before I moved away, of walking around the Tidal Basin as the cherry blossoms bloomed, unsure if I was making the right decision to leave, but pretty sure I couldn't stay. I loved that city and my time there, but it was no longer the place for me.

Twelve years later, I know I made the right choice. But every time I visit, I'm a little sad that jobs weren't plentiful and my friends didn't stick around and my neighborhood was plagued with violence. That neighborhood is probably still violent. The friends who moved away are all over the country now. And I'm really - or at least mostly - happy with my life.

But you won't find this in San Francisco.

Or this.

Well, you won't be able to find this in DC for much longer either.

Or this

And definitely not this. Though I remain hopeful for someday.