If you grew up in Austin you would most likely have spent some time at Zilker Park. I remember coming here in elementary school for picnics during school field trips. I came here in college to play ultimate football, lay in the grass to try to read T.S. Elliot and swim in the cold natural spring pool. Now I came with my own babies.
And surreal was the word that came to mind.
My distant past and the present coming together and I’ll say it didn’t feel as sentimental as I thought I would. Just weird.
I have now what I’d always dreamed of having. I remember being here years ago, watching in envy all the families, the mothers with their babies. Back then, I watched, wanting and wondering if and when it would ever be my turn to be here with my own family.
And then here they were. Playing and oblivious to all the thoughts in my Mama mind.
In this place where I’d wondered about them long before they were real.
I was happy to see them having so much fun, but I was distracted. All the memories in this park. All of what has gone before seemed so small compared to what I had in front of me now.
My youth, my immaturity, the carefree days I lived for myself, the days I spent dreaming, all that embodied in this place. And not only in this park, but in this city.
The old Zephyr still here for us to ride.
This was fun. I loved this train when I was a girl, I still love it!
Austin is a beautiful city. But it made me miss home.
So many people. All the activity, everyone busy entertaining themselves. I just missed my little rural town, population 498, in the middle of nowhere without a thing to do except what I find to do in my home. With nothing to see for miles but the fields of corn and the open sky…and then cows.
It’s crowded, but if you’re looking for a fun place to visit, Austin will have something for you. And the FOOD, don’t even get me started on the amazing food you’ll find in this city. It also has my dear family and my friends going for it, but I suppose I’m just not that big city girl anymore.
I’ve found much contentment where I am now.
To hear my babies ooo and ah over city lights, cars all “lined up in rows” (AKA traffic) and all the big buildings, made my heart do a little dance. These little everyday things become the wonders of the world to them when we’re in the city. It cracked me up, I’d loved it. Is it wrong for me to not want them to lose that?
Fun pictures! I love that last one – all of them with their daddy, what a good “new” memory for you to have of Zilker! 🙂
Beautiful post, Aubi. I love your reflections about the contentment of being who you are. There is no better feeling than the flutter you get in your heart thinking about being Home for your hubby and your kiddos. Love it!
Beautiful reflections. It is weird to have so many mama thoughts going on in our heads that they and probably everyone else are oblivious to. To me that is what makes my mind spin sometimes. The thoughts mixed with the immediate demands of my mind. How interesting to see how God moves us from one place to the next.
SO true, Aubri–sweet memories, mature reflections on time and priorities and God’s gifts. Thank you for sharing. Our small rural town has become home for me and us, too, and we are so grateful for it. Hugs!