I lived on the same street as St. Cyriak church for four years, and would occasionally wander inside to touch base with history. There is something soothing about a building that has been used for Christian worship for more than a thousand years.

It’s an oasis of peace on a spring day, the coolness of the interior contrasting the hot sunshine outdoors. The church doors are unlocked for those who want to come in to sightsee or to pray.

I was in Germany last month, and had plans to spend a considerable amount of time in Sulzburg. I planned on walking in the vineyards and through the Black Forest. I wanted to sit by the swimming hole and contemplate life.

Basically, I just wanted to be reminded of the slower pace of life, to drink in the flavor of the town and the area once more. It didn’t happen.

That’s the thing about plans – sometimes life gets in the way. Our time in southern Germany was spent seeing people. The places took a back seat. No complaints, it just wasn’t what I had expected. The introvert in me was hoping for fewer people than I see in a normal day, not more.

My wife never even made it to Sulzburg. I managed to drop by briefly, and spent a few minutes in St. Cyriak, remembering how much I appreciate its tranquility. It was interesting to see that the chairs are still spaced as if the social distancing rules of the COVID-19 pandemic are still in place.

I’m a city boy. It was a stretch to live in a 2,000 person village. But there are days when I do miss it.

(You can see other posts about St. Cyriak by searching for that name in this blog.)