11 August 2005

A Farewell to Eye Street

A relic of the past:

PaulsCard

(incidentally, i have 60 of these outdated things...anyone want one?!)

It's a sunny day here in DC. Not as hot and muggy as is normal this time of year. I stepped off the D5 bus onto K Street this morning with its familiar bricks still damp from the morning wash. I headed up 20th to the intersection of Eye Street and down into the sub-sidewalk entrance of Pete's Cafe. As I pull the door aside and enter, Pete greets me with his normal eager smile, scribbling down my order. Over the sizzle of sausage, I lament to Pete that today is my last day, and that I am returning to college tomorrow. "Ahh!" he smiles. "Breakfast is on me!" He hands me the paper bag containing my food with a slight bow. And as he shakes my hand, he says, "My best wishes to you, sir!"

I would never have believed I would become nostalgic about an American city, yet, in the midst of the heat, and the traffic, and the hectic lifestyles, this city has become familiar and comforting in a way. While I am anxious to return home, to see old friends, and to return to Houghton, I am going to miss this place, and the people that I have grown to love here. The Lord has blessed my stay here in DC...Katrina, a solid church, old friends, new friends...all have been a source of grace in my life. It's true that nostalgia rarely focuses on the valleys of life, yet I have experienced those as well.

"kwa heri Washington na marafiki ndani..."

1 comment:

Daniel said...

Paul, my brother: It blesses me to read your final musings of the summer. As I have just returned from a long time away from where I call home, I pray that your return to PA land is a blessing. I don't know how it wouldn't be with the parents you have. I am excited to know that in a little over a week I will be there :)