Moments in the Middle

I am a wonderer. I lose myself in thought. I marvel at my observations and connect what I see with what I know and with “what if.”

While studying the militant confrontations between France and Germany within the Rhine River Valley, I discovered a castle. In the quaint, historic town of Heidelberg a magnificent structure arose from the hillside. Heidelberg Castle evoked a sense of the sublime, of wonder. It had been built up and torn down throughout centuries, now a romanticized ruin, representing a rich history of conflict and peace, war and riches.

As a modern tourist, I contemplated the history that had occurred in the exact spot where I stood. I marveled at the structure’s resilience – transformed from a military outpost into a cultural symbol. Filled with despondence for its lost grandeur and wondering at its former glory, I perused the grounds. Military leaders had once fought for control of the fortress, nobility lived here, and famous artists had become inspired walking these grounds.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova masterfully weaves historical fact with myths to create a work worth wondering about. The protagonist explores historical sites across Europe with her father, a history professor who tells the legend of Dracula. Upon discovering the reality within legend, she connects historical facts about Vlad the Impaler to her mysterious present circumstances in order to pursue the famed Dracula.

As I read this story I wondered about the mysteries of the past, the legends they inspired and how they are connected. I thought about my exploration of historical landmarks such as Heidelberg Castle and the intangible meaning they hold. Life can be brought forth from history and mystery from fact much as I experienced while conjuring the past at Heidelberg Castle.

Stretching my mind beyond the factual and practicing imagination, I learn and create by following the whims of my mind and engrossing myself in story.