Memories

Lindsay Busa 10/12/08

The Heart in Place


Arriving at Blue Hill Reservation this week I was aware enough to understand the heart in place. Visiting this area for so many years my body has developed affect, engagement, place identity and psychic homelands. Blue Hills is an area not only for its trails but also for an individual to understand their body in another space. This week I only focused only on the emotional aspect of the place.
On every occasion I go to this green oasis it leads me to reflect on the past. The reason why I am familiar with Blue Hills is my father used to bring my two older siblings and me there when we were younger. We would travel there every Sunday to hike the trails and have a picnic. This was a great time for the family to bond as one and to do an amusing outdoor activity. The most exciting moment during these engagements was when we would reach the top of the mountain. The tower is the object that has changed the most from the past. This tower I would describe as an ancient building with concrete stairs, rusted metal rails and graffiti coverage that leads you to see the stunning view. I was always scared to climb the stair because I felt they weren’t safe and I felt a bad vibe. As I go up them now there is no anxiety and I can ascend up them with a fast pace. Another condition that differs now is to see how the trails fit my body size. Being younger I would get nervous to go up or come down some of these paths and now the hardest one doesn’t even phase me.
It interests me to understand how different places can affect your body as you get older. This place feels like a second home to me now because I have been going there for over fifteen years. Growing up having my father there with me I always felt safe and now being an adult I feel very comfortable to the environment. So the space and experiences really gave me a good feeling then and so I naturally feel that way now.
Different types of places give off different types of feelings and memories assist with that too. There is no telling what different ways spaces are going to seem like. But with the green oasis at Blue Hills, you’re really put into a good mood once in a space so open and freeing.