Field trip

The California State Capitol Building

Isn't this beautiful? Doesn't it just make you want to stare at it for a really (really) long time? Long enough for your neck to ache, but your eyes to want to continue feasting? The stairway around the corner caused a gasp of delight and awe to escape from my daughter's mouth. The view from the upstairs balcony? The elegant, colorful, historic Senate and Assembly chambers? All beautiful. But, alas, the tour made us go at a brisk clip so that we could "see it all."

I am grateful for the friends that planned the tour, but I would have much preferred to break away to linger over the beauty, to wonder at the bills that were being passed as fast as lightning in the Senate chamber, to imagine, as my daughter did, gliding down the dark wood staircase with a ball gown on. Life is short, but there is no need to hurry.

Lesson learned. Next time we go alone, and the watch stays at home.