Rediscovering Family Ties in Santa Fe

Greetings from Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I have come to escape Arkansas's gratuitous heat and humidity. Santa Fe is the 400-year-old capital of the state of New Mexico. The elevation of this city is 7000 feet, so while the sun is bright, the temperature ranges from the low 60s at night to the mid to upper 80s during the day. There is no humidity here, so those are real temperatures. 

Exactly 50 years ago this summer, my parents packed David and me up, loaded a moving truck, and moved from suburban Chicago out here to Santa Fe. The two places could not be more different. At the time, the population of Santa Fe was about 45,000 (now 88,000). Santa Fe is known as “The City Different,” and New Mexico is called “The Land of Enchantment.” Having lived in Chicago, New Orleans, Boston, and other significant stays in several American cities and states, I can attest that both of those monikers are spot on. 

I have been here less than a week, and I have already seen a few friends and have established a lovely routine that includes at least two long walks each day. As I walk by our old elementary school, my high school, and other landmarks, I am struck by just how adventuresome and eccentric my parents were to have moved here in 1973. We all quickly became a part of Santa Fe, and “The City Different” became a part of us.

Bob and I traveled to Santa Fe for a visit in 2013. He shared with me that he had been here many times as a kid on family vacations and when he was a plastic surgeon, as the national specialty society held an annual meeting in Santa Fe. Bob loved Santa Fe. 

All of this offers another beautiful realization I have already come to have as I walk around town – my mom, dad, brother, and husband – are all here. I live in Little Rock because that is where people knew Bob and share wonderful memories of him. Here in Santa Fe, I can simply feel all four of them in the most lovely, supportive way.