Pink Skies and Choosing to Love Where You Live

Last night after I left the last of five showings at The Music Man at Southbridge mall, the sky demanded my attention. I immediately drove to Central Park and just sat there in awe. It wasn’t only beautiful – it was pink. And every time I see a pink sky, I think of my mom.

She always used to say, “When the sky is pink, it’s time to drink,” and now whenever the sky turns pink, it feels like a little sign from her. Especially last night.

You could not find someone more patriotic than my mother and Memorial Day was yesterday. And you also could not find someone who loved Band Festival and Mason City more than she did… well, maybe me. But she is absolutely the person who instilled my love and pride for good old River City. And as I stood there taking pictures, the fair workers were disassembling the carnival rides.

So it felt especially serendipitous that during Band Festival weekend and Memorial Day, the sky above Mason City turned pink.

Growing up, I watched firsthand my mother’s commitment to her community. She loved this town deeply and joyfully. She believed in showing up, making things better, celebrating traditions, and taking pride in where you live. I think seeing that modeled every day planted those same roots in me.

And apparently in our kids too.

Our youngest is still away at college, but our older two both flew the coop and moved out of state for a few years… only to come right back to good ol’ River City. They love it here too. And I think a big part of that is because my husband and I genuinely love this town, and we passed that love on to them.

Of course there are things that need improvement. Every town has things to work on. And we are active in helping making postive changes. But we choose to live here. Therefore, we choose to love it. And honestly, for us, that part isn’t hard.

This weekend, as my daughter watched the Mason City marching band go by – followed by her dad walking in the parade as mayor – she turned to me sobbing and said, “I just love Mason City so much!”

So do I, girl. So do I.

And I have my mother to thank for that.

How incredible it is to be raised by someone with such pride in her community, such joy, positivity, and determination to make her town better. How could you not be influenced by that?

So here’s to my mom – THANK YOU.