On the north end of Van Dyke Road, there was an untouched, magical place, we appropriately called “The North End.” It was just past Norton’s house, down the hill. If I were to see the distance now, it would make me laugh. If I were to see what was built there now, it might make me cry. I guess in my 6 year old brain, the magic lived there because it was raw. Anything was possible. Dirt and trees and water and whatever my imagination could bring to life. Each journey down Van Dyke Road on my banana seat bike brought me to someplace new. I lived out the adventures of Nancy Drew, and Ramona “the pest” and Cowboy Sam. I was Laura Ingalls Wilder in search of her Pa. I was Jody Foster in every Disney special. I was and could be anything.

I guess that’s why we called it “The” North End. It was special. It was our only and every. It wasn’t “a” north end – “a” would have meant ordinary – “the” made it something, something special!

We did that a lot, named things for what they were. My grandparents lived not on a farm, but it was “The Farm.” That’s what we called it — “The Farm.” Because it was special, our only and every.

And I needed both, the possibility of The North End, and the assuredness of The Farm.

Today I picked the greenery in the yard for the front entry of the house. It is all special. Because this is The Day we are given. Our only and every, and it is magical. It is raw and open. It is filled with the comfort, and the possibility. It, we, can be anything! Today – The Day!