I look up from my Kindle and my eyes tear up.
My heart didn’t expect the tug I felt as we flew over little Mt. Helix on our descent into the San Diego Airport. Seeing the dry, beautiful landscape took me back to the year I lived in La Jolla many years ago.
Images of the middle school library I worked at (and cherished) for a year popped into my head. I loved that library with its side “reading room” and real red brick fireplace!
My eyes lose focus as I think about my time here as a military spouse: Miramar Air Force Base, Coronado Island Naval Station, Camp Pendleton, sailing in the bay, the aircraft carrier parked at the wharf—-hard to forget this is a military town.
Our Southwest plane makes a bumpy landing in the warm Pacific Ocean wind bringing me back to the present moment. My heart embraces the glowing embers of memories of my year here in San Diego so long ago. And, as I close my Kindle and dry my tears, my heart flames open a bit, ready to welcome the new memories ALA 2024 will bring.
Conference blogger, Sci Fi fan and lover of anything outdoors, Amy Power Labson is a Teacher Librarian in Elk Grove Unified School District near Sacramento. She is grateful for the learning opportunities conferences bring and is looking forward to returning to San Diego’s beauty.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.