Feeling at Home in Cleveland

Periodically in life I have those moments where I feel completely at peace. Last night as I drove from the east side of Cleveland to the west side I had one of those moments. The moon was nearly full and the sky was dark and calming. We are home in Cleveland.

Looking to the right as I drove down State Route 2 I saw the dark abyss that is Lake Erie in the wintertime. I was going to take Interstate 90 but chose the scenic route instead. Who was I  kidding? I don’t pass up an opportunity to drive along the lakefront.

Home in Cleveland

Going past downtown I saw the Terminal Tower lit up with Christmas-colored cheer — green and red lights. Driving by Cleveland Browns Stadium, ahem. “FirstEnergy Stadium,” I felt a sense of Cleveland pride and respect for our die-hard sports fans.

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As I continued through Battery Park I looked at the yachts at the marina all battened down for winter, scenes so familiar to me when I lived in Sandusky, Ohio only a stone throw’s away (which also has its own Battery Park). I progressed through Edgewater and Lakewood taking in the views of historic homes decorated for the Christmas season. I stole a few more views of the lake and arrived back home on the west side.

Home in Cleveland

Perhaps it was the song playing that helped form the moment, Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know.” Or perhaps it was me being in just the right place at just the right time. I have struggled with feelings of discontent. It’s so easy to point out what is wrong or not right in one’s life. It doesn’t take much effort to notice who has something you want or whose life seems better. Life is not perfect, but in that moment, I felt perfectly at home here.

Taken from the Terminal Tower Observation Deck, 2011