Melancholy or no, visiting we will go

I have been feeling melancholy lately. Abuse of my "vices" has been rampant. I've eaten too much, had a glass of wine every night and generally haven't felt that motivated. I know something is really wrong because despite my love for writing/tweeting/engaging this has been difficult for me lately too. I am thankful that an unexpected visit forced me to get out of the house and explore this wonderful city I live in.

This week my father-in-law and his wife came to town and our entire family visited the Martin Luther King National Historic site. This was wonderful and much needed family time even if I wasn't the best company. On Monday it was one of the hottest days I can remember this summer but we trekked to the National Park and embraced the history that lives there. The National Park is home to Dr. King and his wife's final resting place and is located a mere two blocks away from the home that he grew up in. Tours of the King homestead are available but unfortunately all of the tours were filled. This did not hinder our enjoyment of the park.

The walkway leading to exhibition hall is the Civil Rights Walk of Fame. It is clearly a work in progress but beautiful plaques are inlaid in the sidewalk leading to the exhibition hall. Prominent notables and supporters of civil rights have footprints here.





We explored the museum chronicling the work of Dr. King during the civil rights movement.

We walked through the rose garden dedicated to various civil rights leaders and surrounded by the words of insightful children, the leaders of the future.

We saw the Behold sculpture which is dedicated to the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King.
I am sure it was influenced by a scene from Roots and it also reminds me of Mekhi's first moment on planet Earth.

Mekhi frolicked on the grounds of the sculpture.




And we viewed the reflecting pool and the final resting place of the Kings.




The Eternal light burns on.