Hangingaround

"yeah...!"


My room has always sat a little bit above the rest of the world. Overlooking the St. Vrain Valley from the top of the tallest hill in Niwot, I can see thousands of city lights burning for miles. The clouds stretch arms in their gray way down from the north over my house, and they're so close I can almost touch them.

I reach my finger out. Poof, poof...

I've been hangingaround this town for way too long.

This spot that I'm sitting in feels like the epicenter for exciting times. There is a brew boiling within me (a little bit of this, a little bit of that) and stir, stir, stir until it's just the right thickness. John Denver says it best in Poems, Prayers and Promises

"I've been lately thinking about my life's time. All the things that I've done, and how it's been. And I can't help believing in my own mind I know I'm going to hate to see it end. I've seen a lot of sunshine, slept out in the rain. Spent a night or two all on my own... I've had myself some friends. Spent a time or two in my own home. I have to say it now, it's been a good life all in all. It's really fine to have a chance to hang around Lie there by the fire and watch the evening tire, with all my friends... Talk of poems, prayers, and promises and things that we believe in. How to sweet it is to love someone, how right it is to care. How long it's been since yesterday and what about tomorrow, what about our dreams, and all the memories we share? The days they pass so quickly now, the nights are seldom long. The time around me whispers when it's cold. The changes somehow frighten me, still I have to smile. It turns me on to think of growing old. For though the life's been good to me, there's still so much to do. So many things my mind has never known. I'd like to raise a family, I'd like to sail away. Dance across a mountain on the moon. I have to say it now, it's been a good life all in all..."

Night is so dark.

The past week has been the best ever, and yes, I believe it to be worthy of VH1. Colorado sunshine, the warm air, the night breeze. The Rocky Mountains shillouetted along Highway 93 as I drive late at night. Laughter, naps, movies, dinners, and lazy Niwot evenings.

I've never felt more blessed to be 19. There are so many things ahead of me, and yet so many things to be thankful for in my past. Like Johnny D said, it's crazy to think about how long it's been since yesterday and what about tomorrow, what about our dreams, and all the memories we share? The days pass so quickly now, but I'd have to say it's been a good life.

I have to fly on a jetplane tonight back to Boston which feels so much like home. This whole year has been a balancing act between this jewel of a home I find in Colorado and thrilling Boston. I'm finally finding a bit of peace. As I leave for 2 more months, I know I am on the brink of something large, that I am bound to an adventure. But as I stare out my open window, perched atop this hill on the open prairie, I know I'm just a "teenage dirtbag," just a college bum, just a young woman who has been hangingaround this town for way to long.