I arrived at my daughter’s apartment just before sunrise (avoiding traffic) and amid the bustle of the waking city, I detected determination, grit, routine.
Whenever I visit, I imagine what the street looked like in the 1950s or earlier, and wonder who lived in these now-converted mansions.
The current property owners have retained the charm of the old-fashioned iron rails and highly secure door locks that use ornate keys that cannot be duplicated at your local Home Depot.
Once beloved daughter leaves for her office, I become more in tune with the sounds emanating from below. The APS voice (Accessible Pedestrian Signal or more commonly called “Talking Crosswalk” in cities), announces the street names, making sounds for the countdown before it’s safe to walk.
The occasional siren wizzes by. Firetrucks press horns. Loud rap music bumps from cars. But the old, strong, secure building doesn’t rattle a bit. Her view hovering above the top of the trees… beautiful.
The floors feel more solid than the marble in custom homes. Horns blare modern, distracted living, but the longstanding architecture beckons for attention. Regal pillars at the entrance are walked by people in a hurry, but I’m not missing the grandeur.
The intersection lights changing from red… yellow… green, catch my eyes through the window panes. Somehow these floor-to-ceiling windows reflecting the sights and sounds below make this place homey.
I take a moment watching bikers ring their bells. The young men across the street, dressed in freshly ironed polos securely tucked into navy blue pants make their way to private school summer classes. In the evenings, we see parents arrive for the boys’ late-night soccer games.
We raised the kids on a few acres and all of us still prefer ample (and quiet) residential space. But, as my daughter says, the city sounds can be comforting. They remind us that we’re not alone. The hustle and hurried footsteps prompt the realization that people’s lives are unfolding around us.
Personal stories are being written. Fellow humans are making a way. Going to work. Earning. Participating. Engaging.
There is so much more good than the news would have us believe. Even in the cities. We just need to look for it.
Thank you for reading and I hope your week is off to a great start!
Tales from a Mid-Lifer 
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