The Day the Sky Fell II

It was a normal day, not unlike many others that Ohio throws at us through the brisk winter months. Wind blew forcefully, sweeping snow across a parking lot that had been transformed by winter into an urban arctic tundra following the passing of a white out hours before. A golden glitter swept across the empty lot as sun painted wind-borne snow. After only thirty minutes in the harsh breeze, my hands began to lose feeling. With only a short distance remaining, I pushed forward at a slow, steady pace.

I’ve always believed that when you pay close attention to that which is normally neglected, you are often greatly rewarded by finding incredible scenery or rich history. In this case, we have Rolling Acres Mall - a once lively shopping center, formerly a hub for the community, filled with music, laughter, fun and excitement. “What happened to this part of the American Dream?” I wondered as I stared at this slowly deteriorating structure. Forty years ago, people would have never imagined that this could be a possible sight.

This once bustling space was now occupied by the crumbling and cracking walls of numerous storefronts. For years I watched as decay slowly ate away the mall from its inside. While the mall held up quite well over time, on this day it became something entirely different.

Upon entering the abandoned mall, I was taken away by a bright, enchanting scene that welcomed me. Constant shifting from the weight of snow after years of neglect weakened the skylights above, causing the glass ceiling to bend until it finally burst open. It was as if clouds had fallen from the sky, filling this usually dark and desolate ruin with a brand new, much brighter life. The sky had fallen, crushing structures, and causing destruction. There I stood, amidst the mess, observing this unbelievable beauty that nature had strewn before me. The sun blindingly reflected off the snow-covered escalators as it dropped in through the skylight. It was such a silent, surreal scene; I was unsure if this was reality or simply a dream. I drew a deep breath. Cold air filled my lungs and I felt as though the whole world around me was empty.