My Colorado

Blue skies smiling at me

By Ann B. Kochenberger

Growing up in Pueblo, Colorado was wonderful, particularly in the summertime. Days were hot and time seemed endless. During the 1950s kids adhered to no particular schedule, so there was nothing but time.

My sister, Susan, along with our best friend, Mary Ellen, always found something to do. We went swimming, played kick-the-can with neighborhood kids and visited elderly people to hear their stories about growing up "in the olden days."

One of our favorite activities was looking for picture clouds. Lying on our backs side by side, we watched white wisps changing on the brilliant blue background. It was cool in the shade of our front yard trees, and watching clouds can occupy the minds of young children for a very long time.

"Look, there's a lamb. Wait, now it's a house … see the chimney," we'd exclaim to one another. Sometimes pictures were easy to see, while other times we'd have to use a bit of imagination.

There is nothing quite like the blue skies of Colorado. Growing up, I never gave them much thought. Each day was similar: white clouds, blue skies, a shower or two in the late afternoon before the sun would appear once again against the brilliant blue background.

Years later, my husband and I moved to Pennsylvania. We loved life there, but we missed the blue sky that always seemed to be above our heads in Colorado. Pennsylvania skies are gray and clouds usually nonexistent, just one dull shade of overcast skies. It was common to judge each day simply by the variations of this color. White-gray indicated hope that the sun might appear, while dark gray, usually accompanied by steady rain, was likely to last for some time.

We often returned to Colorado to visit our large extended family, and every time we did, the blue skies seemed bluer than we remembered. We no longer took them for granted, and the state that we had loved growing up became even more appreciated.

Nine years ago, my first grandchild was born. I taught part-time, the first year of his life, in order to spend time with him. With Max sleeping on my chest, I would lie in the hammock on cool autumn mornings while watching golden aspen leaves sway against the brilliant blue Colorado sky, and I would remember those days of long ago.

Your Turn

Do you have a special memory or humorous story about living in Colorado? EnCompass is looking for original essays that capture the uniqueness of our state. Payment is $60 upon publication. Entries must be typed, double-spaced and 350-450 words. Please include a daytime phone number. Entries will not be returned. Mail to: EnCompass, Attn: My Colorado, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222, or email: editor@colorado.aaa.com. A response to a submission may take six to eight weeks.

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