Life After Peace Corps

Strawberry Field

Spring time is just lovely here along the Four-Mile Run stream, a small running creek down by the hill of my apartment.  The place exerts a magnetic spell.  Wild flowers are everywhere.  So far I have identified the daffodil, dogwood, Virginia bluebell, wild iris and strawberry, cliff rose, forget-me-not, yellow buttercup and many many more.  Here is the place I called “Strawberry Field”. 

About four miles into my walk, there is a patch of earth full of wild strawberry.  I never saw a real wild strawberry before.  Back in New York by the hiking trial of Harriman State Park, I spotted a few wild strawberry shrubs.  Occasionally in early May, I would see their yellow flowers, but I had never once seen the flowers grow into fruits.  Perhaps, they lacked of nutrients, or maybe birds got into the fruits before I had a chance to see them.   But here it is!  A plot of grassland by the river is full of wild strawberries.  The fruits are very small, but plumb with crimson color.  I pick one and taste it, not so sweet but juicy.  The birds should love them.    There is another plant I discovered by the hillside of the river. Its leave resembles the Chinese squash that my Brooklyn friend Wood grows in his garden.   It has the same yellow flower.  I have to remember to check them out in autumn.  Maybe that yellow flower will turn into a squash.  Wishful thinking!      

I find a nice spot to take a break on a level rock.  A gurgling sounds of the stream smooths me.  I take off my shoes and dip my feet into the water.  It is cold but I really enjoy the feeling.  My mind begins to drift back to early February when I first moved to Virginia.   I had my early sorrow.  I missed New York.  Many weekend, I felt desolate and bereft.  But as soon as I had decided to train for the 26-mile hike, I started taking long walk along the Four-Mile Run stream.  The walk slowly and surely heals my wounds.  While I am with the river, I forget my loneliness.  I keep walking and walking, discover more attractions along the river shore.  The river has also taught me another lesson about life.  Life resembles the flow of a river, it is constantly moving.  No matter how many twists and turns, the river continues to push forward and eventually, reaches its destination.  So I should enjoy the ride and not to be defeated by its turbulence.  Given time, I will fine-tune with my new life in Virginia, meeting new friends, developing a new altitude and living contentedly in a quiet suburban area.  Soon I will not miss the city life of New York. 

A child’s playful giggling brings me back to present, Oh! time to head back home.   Linda and Iren, my two Returned Peace Corps friends are coming to see me.  We are going to have a nice Chinese homemade lunch…….