Dust in the wind

Melissa Ann Howell Schier
4 min readDec 1, 2024

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Dec. 1 2024

Again, Filly found herself fascinated by watching things in the light. The specks of dust in the quiet room floated like little tiny creatures in the bright sliver of light coming through the fourth story window. Filly luxuriated in the warmth and laziness of the light, the high thread count cotton sheets, and the quiet hum of the heater.

The room had been perfect. The girl at the front desk, smiling had cheerfully given the keys to the room, and the lack of a wait, and the quick ride up the elevator, all contributed to the feel of comfort and customer service.

They were now in Denver, having flown from San Francisco, and had arrived at around midnight, but had to wait for luggage, and ride the tram to get a rental car. But the tram for Budget, had a very helpful driver, also smiling and also running to lift the luggage, including a box with obsidian, which is volcanic glass, that Filly’s husband had found.

Family at thanksgiving.

The holiday of Thanksgiving had been perfect at the lakehouse, and most of Filly’s immediate family had been able to attend. They had daily walks, art classes, games, writing, reading, and cooking together. The children played on the trees and the hammock outside and made forts and chased each other. Her two boys ran in the morning together and one even was brave enough to do a cold plunge.

Filly was sorry to have to leave. There had been great conversations and lots of opportunities to celebrate the activities and accomplishments of others.

They had stopped at Gotts for lunch on the way back to the airport, and had given each other the last of hugs and kisses. Then waiting for the flight, where Filly found a drivers license and credit card, lying under a seat at the airport, and had given it to the San Francisco Police. The flight had been uneventful and Filly read in the magazine, an ad for a large green stone, product of Mt. St. Helen, when it erupted. An interesting coincidence, as she had dreamed about Mt. St. Helen erupting and they had eaten lunch at St. Helene. Filly liked the idea of Helen of Troy being the face that launched a thousand ships, and comparing it to Jesus, and the face that launched the world.

When they arrived in Denver, the luggage was all there. Filly’s neighbor had said there were white out conditions on the road and lots of icy patches so many roads had closed. She turned on the heat at the cabin for them so that their cabin would be warm. She had horses, and Filly hoped that the horses were warm in their stalls. She had purchased a magazine with running horses on the front and started reading it.

Perhaps she would finish reading it when she got in the room. They opened the door and saw a beautifully designed room with an elegant bathroom, a sitting room with a sofa, TV and desk, and a lovely sleeping area with a large comfortable bed and TV.

Filly thought about this as she lay in the bed, warm, relaxed and comfortable. The dust still floated, unobtrusively, almost beautifully in its weightlessness and ability to catch the light. Filly got up slowly. She had slept six hours, never cold, never hot, never hearing any noises that would wake her up. She went into the bathroom and poured water in the immaculate porcelain tub. She let her clothes fall to the floor and slipped in the warm water and breathed a sigh of pure enjoyment. AHHHH.

tub at The Cambria Hotel Denver Airport.

She soaked for at least thirty minutes, barely moving. The bath was delicious. She noticed all the careful attention to detail in the bathroom from the triad of glass shelves for makeup for the ladies, to the thick absorbent towels, trimmed with a touch of grey, to the pedestal sink, standing on a black granite countertop above naturally stained wood, to the extra large hooks for clothes when showering. Even the coffee provided came with enough REAL sugar and coffee mate creamer instead of the powder. YAY.

The bed had been perfect too, with just enough hardness for her husband but just enough softness for her. Even the mirror on the wall provided a flattering image. The room was the best that Filly had stayed in recently and she thought about how business that took the time to do things right, and pay attention to what was helpful for their customer, would succeed.

They would not eat at the hotel because they were going to eat at Syrup, one of their favorite breakfast places in Denver. They would shop at The brass Armadillo, their favorite antique place. But now they had a new favorite hotel when they needed to overnight in Denver. Just a few words to compliment…just dust in the wind.

Yes, Good …. is so much more than just “dust in the wind”.

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Melissa Ann Howell Schier
Melissa Ann Howell Schier

Written by Melissa Ann Howell Schier

HoustonWorkout on YouTube, mom of five, journalist and artist and conservative who values life.

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