Been doing some thinking

I used to visit Las Vegas before when I was younger and coming from Seattle area I have never felt not safe there. It did not bother me. This trip however, I did not feel as safe as I normally do. Also, with life experiences and my own children aging I saw it differently. What I can say, is I have been changed as I age.

 I have not ever been too much of a deep thinker. Lately I am noticing I notice and think more. This last week we went to Las Vegas for a few days. I realized that I have lived in "Safe Utah" and got used to it now. I think nothing of heading out on a walk in the dusk of the night or going to the store at night I never get scared. A couple of times I was even scared on this trip. While I was visiting Las Vegas I noticed how ethic it is which I love and miss about Utah. I also noticed men and young boys out walking by themselves at all hours of the day and night. They may have been walking to work as shifts start and end at all times of the day just to keep that city moving. But I think some were not. Some were there without friends or family and down on their luck. I saw it in their faces. They just looked sad and it made me sad.

When we got home, that very night I went on a walk and it was dusk. I could hear children playing and laughing and I smiled. I walked up this street, up a little hill and turned on my road. The course I always walk and I was thinking of how wonderful it is to live with family and have friends and live where I can hear children playing outside, laughing and talking.

I passed a church where Scouts was just getting over and boys were running and dodging outside, laughing and yelling. My eyes filled with tears. Then as I came to the corner and turned east to walk down the hill there were two men laying on the front yard of their house talking with smiles.

I wonder if those boys/men have friends?  If they ran to Las Vegas to get rich quick and now they are stuck?  I am so grateful my boys have jobs, friends and family.  I am grateful I have the same.