Memorial Day in Eagan (south of the St. Louis River)

I spent the past week in Minnesota’s north country. My soul home, I like to say. Pace is slower. Trees are taller. Lakes are more plentiful. Breezes are cooler. Nights are filled with critter sounds, and mornings with cheery bird songs.

As is my habit, I descended into a funk at the prospect of returning home, to Eagan. Been living here for more than 15 years. What’s to dread?

Okay, the pace is faster. Traffic is heavier. Stores are more crowded (though I don’t have to drive 10 miles for bratwurst and buns).

But….but….the trees are plenty tall enough in Eagan. Small lakes and ponds punctuate the landscape. Critters and birds? Eagan has it covered. My little pond is populated with an abundance of ducks, geese, egrets, frogs. And the people? Most of ‘em are good souls, trying to make a living, raise kids and grands, be good neighbors and good citizens. 

On Monday, we headed to Eagan’s new Tribute and Memorial Plaza, up the hill from the Community Center, for the first Memorial Day commemoration there. Lots of folks showed up.  Elders, toddlers, in-betweeners. The sound system didn’t carry speeches to where we sat, but it was clear that folks at the microphone were earnest and committed to the bittersweet tone of the national day of remembrance. 

There were lots of the traditional things. Presentation of the colors. The Pledge of Allegiance.  Speakers from the military, the police and fire departments, the political world. A young woman with a stunning voice, vocalized patriotic songs. Then prayers. Taps. Refreshments.

All along, we were treated to swallows and other small songbirds, swooping and perching, participating accidentally in the proceedings. A hawk circled overhead. The Lone Oak was a distant sentry, linking the long-ago with the here and now.

And then I went home to hang out with friends on my patio, overlooking the small menagerie on my small pond.

If I must come back from north (and I must), Eagan is a mighty fine place to be. 

Just sayin’.