Ruidoso

Who knew there were so many shades of blue,

sun and clouds shade the mountains with hues
that mix and blend and create patterns of delight

Here in the valleys and the hills alike

You can find a place to call home.

Let your heart finally come home.

Life is good here; quiet and calm;
wind in the trees makes its own song.

Birds on the wing and the bustle below;
deer on the move, even elk in the snow.

This is a place the heart can heal;
this is a place to call home.

Winters are cold here, but people are warm,
even strangers are greeted with no false charm.

Smiles are honest and words are true.

Places like this are too far and too few.

But this is a place my heart can heal.

It calls to me, welcome home

Welcome home.

***

If I could come up with a tune that has a slight Spanish feel, I think it would be a nice tribute to this town I have fallen in love with.  A town is a town is a town, right? Well, maybe so, but I have experienced Ruidoso to be a place with a welcoming spirit and an honest heart - the mountain views and surrounding beauty don’t hurt either.

Seriously though, consider being a stranger just passing through some unknown town. In some places, you just get lost in the busyness of the skyline. No one really notices you, especially if you’re traveling alone. You’re just another customer, another sale. They won’t remember you. It’s not like they really care. And for the most part, this is ok. It’s nothing unusual or unexpected. It’s just how life goes in most cities and towns.

What is unusual and unexpected is to run into a town full of people who aren’t just trying to make another sale. They greet you with genuine warmth. They even refer you to their competition if it’s a unique silver piece you’re looking for. They are friends after all, and all part of this community. From the southwestern jewelry stores to the salon, from the church to the car dealer service department, I was met by people who were not just friendly; they really cared about what they were doing. They were welcoming and they loved this town. Store clerks and postal workers, waitresses and cooks, maintenance guys and computer genies are just at home here and they’re glad to share their space with you. They really are kind and generous and caring.

There is a slower pace here (maybe it is the time of year) and so it was easy to share stories. Some folks grew up here; others are transplants that wouldn’t even think of leaving. Robin is divorced; Cheryl is celebrating 25 years of marriage in this place of her honeymoon. Both are filled with gratitude for the lives they have here. Summer laughs about the main goal in the winter is staying warm, the heck with beautiful hair, and there is no better place to raise her kids. It’s a small town; she’ll know if they wander or get in trouble or not. 

Ken is a 5^th generation store owner in Native American jewelry and art. He came back from Colorado to take over the family tradition.  Charles moved here from Oklahoma years ago with his wife; they now run a ski shop/women’s fashions. Don’t even ask him to go back.  DJ and Kelly are Pennsylvania Dutch, military sojourners who landed here after retirement and never left. Talk about a great love of this place, its local artist, silver and turquoise and more – this mother and daughter team are absolutely delightful and welcoming and fun.

Oh, and did I mention Reese? I don’t know much about him, actually. My eyes were closed most of my time with him; it was quiet and peaceful and relaxing and calm. What I do know about him is he has a solid core, strong arms and tender hands, and he gives the best hot stone, deep tissue massage ever.

I’d move here for just the massage and mountains alone, but truthfully, this is a town with a welcoming spirit and an honest heart. It was easy to feel at home here. There is something about this place that offers a safe haven. I’ve laughed and cried as I got honest with myself. I’m admitting my anger and my pain and finding a desire to deal with it and let it go. My body and spirit have found contentment in this place. It has been easy to rest and write and play and sing.

Tomorrow I leave for more unknown places and towns and people. I hope to find other places of genuine warmth and honest spirits. I know I’ll find other places of great beauty, I just pray I find more places my heart can call home.  In the long run though, anyplace can be my heart’s home if my spirit is content and there is genuine honesty and hope in my soul. Ruidoso is just a great place to discover your heart’s home.

No matter who you are, no matter where you’re headed, Welcome Home.