Those steps had to lead somewhere, so up and up I went. Driven by curiosity, I followed the faint sound of a breeze and climbed a ladder attached to the wall. I could only hope that the rusted metal would hold my weight; it didn’t look like anyone had used it recently. As the knot in my stomach grew (from my fear of heights), I reached a small opening, one barely big enough for a person to crawl through.
I stepped out onto the rooftop of my forty-story apartment building to see the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. All of Panama lay out in front of me. I could see for miles and miles. I watched directly below the unsuspecting people go with their busy lives, trying to get through traffic in the city. Further out, I could see a dense tropical forest where small creatures thrive as their habitat. And, beyond that, the Panama Canal. This while the sun was going down, bringing colors of purple, pink, yellow, and orange to the sky.
As the day grew darker, rain clouds drew nearer. The moment I’ve been waiting for has come, to feel a chilly breeze and a light drizzle hit my face. By this time, my fear of heights was long forgotten and instead, I enjoyed the sensation.
This spot of power and serenity gives me time to meditate on the past, present, and future. But, at the same time, it is my escape and the reason is clear – it’s because I feel like I’m at the top of the world looking down on creation.
