One of the best things about living in our suburb, is that just around a corner or two, there is a hill that overlooks a limestone quarry. The quarry is pretty active. In fact they blast most days at 10am and 2pm. We can feel it pretty significantly some days. There is always a flurry of activity when one drives down the street that divides the quarry. People tend to pay pretty close attention to the action, as to not hit the flag man or run into one of the gargantuan dump trucks crossing the street. What very few people do notice is that up on the hill, right next to the quarry, there is a really insignificant looking building. Almost a bunker, I would say. The sign says "World Bible School". I don't think I have ever seen anyone actually there, so I'm not sure if it is still in operation. I try to see beauty in everything, but this building and the parking lot and the dead grass and the 2 sad flag poles, leave something to be desired. You must really want to study the Bible if you go to this school... because let's face it, you are next to a loud quarry, you have zero fun things around you and you are surrounded by uninspiring architecture. It looks like it's pretty sad on the inside too... but who knows, maybe there is a grand sanctuary in the middle... and this is all a shell. Symbolism of "what's inside that matters.." Probably wishful thinking on my part. Too many Super Soul Sundays with Oprah. Maybe its not pretty because the WBS professors do not want the students to be distracted...because, well, World Bible School. But I must say that the WBS folks and founders settled on a Mighty Hill. And that hill has the best view of the sun setting over the Hill Country. (at least the closest and prettiest view that only takes us a minute to get to)
We have been watching the sunset here on and off for many years. Lately, with not being on the road.... we have ventured out there more. Cool thing is that it now has been discovered by others too.. Mostly teenagers in trucks and jeeps. They are also there to watch the sunset, maybe kiss and maybe drink beer. Which probably breaks rules 1-3 in the WBS handbook.
Last week I was driving home from the studio and drove up the hill to catch the very last ounce of the sunset. I was on the hill by myself, but heard music over my left shoulder. I squinted in the twilight and noticed a woman dancing. I could not tell if she was dancing for someone or just for herself. It was sweet... in a hippie at Woodstock kind of way. The moon rose quietly as the sun set... so she was literally Dancing in the Moonlight. I thought that was awesome. I also thought that she most definitely was breaking WBS rule #4.
I'd say tonight was my 3rd favorite sunset night. It was a perfect setting.. just that big old orange ball, Ranger and me. My 2nd favorite sunset night was when Walt, Luke and I discovered the crazy place... I think when Luke was in grade school The winner night was when Walt decided to go to the hill to say a few prayers for his dad. He called me and said that I needed to get there fast... because there was a bagpiper practicing as the sun was going down. Coincidentally I was already on my way there... as I had noticed the glimmer ofpink in the sky. It was incredibly moving to hear bagpipes on the hill, bouncing off the WBS walls, falling on the ears of the teenagers in love and adding to the prayers of a son for his dad....who just so happens to adore bagpipe music.
Maybe the WBS had it right all along. We find our own beauty in the world... they don't have to decorate it.
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