The Appearance of Normal

I have not been out of the house in ages, and I headed out last night to go for a walk with my old next-door neighbor and one of my best friends. And for a while there, I had flashbacks to normal. It was my old commute to my old neighborhood and the trip I used to make weekly to play soccer.

Everything felt familiar to the angle of the sun, the litter along the expressway, and the reflection off of Mount Hood. It all felt kind of familiar. I think my heart started beating faster, with a stimulus response in anticipation of playing soccer.

But we were simply going for a walk. I reminded me of an old Pretenders song which I can’t remember the title. I believe it’s called “My City Was Gone”.

I didn’t see anyone I used to know, many businesses were closed and there was not the usual hustle and bustle. It felt like my city was gone. And there is a beauty with that as well as those living there deserve a well earned quiet night at home. It is their city now.