Not Much Time Left

Today as I helped out with the annual Giving Bowls event with a couple of my football teammates, I couldn't help but notice the beauty around me. Colors ranging from deep red to a couple lonely greens exploded into my corneas, forever imprinting itself into my mind. I believe we take our home severely for granted, and don't take enough time to appreciate it. The nippy 50 degree weather was offset by the bright sun, necessitating sunglasses. I often stopped talking to old teachers, familiar Norwich residents, or my teammates in order to just glance around and take in the setting. Nothing says Vermont more than a small community gathering for a good cause in the most attractive season of the year. Between the ticket selling and bread distribution, one thought ran through my head, "damn I'm lucky." The few dogs that were around almost all ended up lying down in the sun, and falling right asleep in the middle of a group of people. Even the dogs knew Mother Nature was in rare form. Despite all this, I knew why I was feeling this way. In less than a year, I'd hopefully be somewhere else (assuming I'm deemed good enough), and I truthfully believe my mind was subconsciously telling myself to make the most of it. Was I becoming homesick without not even being away from home? I already regret not being outside enough this fall, (busy as I was with sports and college apps) and I'm already planning a local adventure where I can get away from others, and just be alone for a couple hours. I think we become numb to the world around us due to social media (though Planet Earth is a must watch), and we forget where we come from. Even if it means just looking out the window a couple minutes a day in silent observation, it brings a sense of calm to the mind. We were blessed with the opportunity to live in such an untouched place, and it weighs heavily on me that I do not have much time left.