I’ve been able to see things in a new light the last couple of weeks.  Most of it was fueled by a nice visit to Hillsboro, IL, a small rural town between Springfield and St. Louis where my grandma lived.  She passed away last summer but the family is in the process of selling her house.  It was a nice girls weekend with my aunt, Kate, and me and gave me peaceful closure being there one last time.

Things are always a slower pace when you’re back in Hillsboro.  There is a simpleness to the town but people seem happy, know their neighbors, and you never get the sense that they feel like they’re missing out on all the grandiose things that a large urban city like Chicago brings.  Being there always provides a much needed relief from the hustle bustle of everyday life.  There is also a comfort that I experience when I’m there, sort of a home away from home.  Given the weeks leading up to the visit, I was certainly looking forward to having a few days away from work and some down time to really evaluate life – to sort through all the various thoughts I’ve been feeling about where I’m ‘stuck’ or unhappy.

It was also a time to remember my grandma and how grateful she always was for whatever life brought her.   Continue reading →