#Middlebury #Greenway
By BRIDGET HENRY
Over the years, I have used the Middlebury Greenway in some way, shape or form practically every single day. I have taken hundreds of runs up and down that path most mornings before my family awoke. I have logged countless hours on the Greenway pushing a stroller, walking with friends, or riding bikes and scooters with my boys. The Middlebury Greenway has been the backdrop to many a serious conversation, miles of training runs and countless Henry family memories.
Though I still run on parts of that path most days, I have noticed my relationship with the Greenway has begun to change. Aside from those predawn runs and occasional walks with friends, I no longer have strollers to push or bikes to guide. My boys no longer need someone to hold their hand as they head down Glenwood toward the Greenway. They no longer need help crossing the street when they walk to Dunkin’ Donuts. My boys have long been able to navigate the path on their own. And so, as the boys have grown, I find I spend less and less time on the Greenway.
As my relationship with the Greenway has changed, I have found a unique sense of joy as I observe new families walking the very same path, making similar memories. Suddenly, I cannot help but notice all the young mothers in groups of two or three pushing their strollers. Instantly, I am reminded of my own stay-at-home days and the slow lazy walks I enjoyed with my babies and toddlers.
I see little ones waiting for the school bus along the path and I cannot believe that I have lived here long enough to send one of mine off to college. I drive past my friend’s teenage son out for a run of his own and I am reminded how quickly our kids have grown. On Friday afternoons, I search the faces of the middle school students crossing the street in front of my car as they head to the Greenway. How can those first graders I once taught be ready to head to high school?
I am certain my new appreciation of the Greenway has a lot to do with where I am on my own path. Strollers and scooters have long been replaced with college tuition and drivers’ licenses. My oldest is now 1,000 miles away at school and there is a very new rhythm to life at home. I am nostalgic about days gone by and am acutely aware that life seems to be changing more quickly and more often. And it is the Greenway – that living, breathing timeline winding its way through our town – that constantly reminds me to enjoy the path, no matter where it takes me, no matter what stretch I am on. Before I know it, I will be looking back at these very days astounded at the speed at which they passed me by. And so I watch. And I remember. And I smile as I continue on down the path.
As always, I am happy and grateful to be Somewhere in the Middle (of the Greenway) with all of you.
