You ever walk around a neighborhood hill, woods, or park, notice a small barely visible side trail, and wander off into it… only to come to a ‘secret spot’ which makes you unreasonably happy? Well we found one as pictured above living in SF. It wasn’t exactly a secret as many a neighborhood person would be there, but still it made me feel special.

I loved the city, from it’s shortcomings to its sheer grand beauty. The people, the neighborhoods, the pretty streets which was basically every one, the micro climates, the mini downtowns each neighborhood had. Even the fogs and the summers Mark Twain coined “The coldest winter I ever experienced was a summer in San Francisco”. My dad laughed loudly when I told him that as he was shivering in our backyard.

And of course the ocean.

Just walking along Ocean Beach with the shimmering sparkling water meeting sky shades of brilliant yellow, sheer blue and white fluffy clouds gradienting into purple, pink and red streaks across the heavens made any stressors you may have go away for a short while. And it wasn’t just me, it was everyone walking around with a look of wonder and content as they enjoyed the experience.

Though we had to move down to the peninsula during the pandemic due to reorgs and the very difficult SF school support situation, I’d lived in the city for 10+ years already. Before that I was living in Redwood City, where I’d move to after graduation, and then moved to SF after my marriage, since work was still commutable from there and me and Kacies church was nearby in the Richmond district. 10 years of living in what I truly believe is the most beautiful city in the world.

So it was a very hard decision to move down, I still remember the drive down and feeling emotional, just like I remember getting on the plane to come back to the US and eventually Ann Arbor. But it undoubtedly was the best decision we could have made for every member of our family. We feel cozy here, despite living in a tiny condo, kids getting better support, and made many friends of folks in similar situations, and well, are content.

Still, sometimes I look back at the city, which now seems to be thriving again and feel a bit nostalgic. Although to be sure when I drive back up on occasion it feels like I’m visiting someone else’s city, and thats a good thing. Seeing all the people up and about on the streets is always great.

Major change is difficult, it’s painful, but often times it turns out to be for the better. Much better. Just one of those lessons that help you mature and handle things personally as well as professionally.