The trip was perfect. The months of anticipation became a reality; all the joy and sorrow meshing into a great two weeks, days unfolding in the rhythm of love
Getting to the lobby of the hotel at 5:30am, I was greeted by, “Hi Linda, ready for your long day?” John, the shuttle bus driver from the day before, would be driving me to the airport. Big guy, big heart, 40 years in the business of transportation and obviously loving connections he makes with people. He asked my story the previous day and I shared bits and pieces.
Today I got the honored seat…right up front in the passenger seat. When we got to American Airlines Departure area, he unloaded my bags, placed them on the curb, grabbed my hand and said “I’d like to pray for you.” I am not sure what it is about my demeaner, but since Russ died that is the third person, upon our first meeting with them that showered me in prayer and hope; is it a new my pattern? Unknown people wanting me to find strength to move forward.
I am usually pretty good about taking pictures to journal an experience, but on this trip I failed. I missed most of the Massachusetts time. It’s not that it wasn’t important to me, but I got very caught up in the moments. Seeing my family after so many years took all my focus.
What happened when? Landing in Harford, CT on Aug. 10th I was greeted by Gail and Ron. I had thought this might be a bit much (and it was for them as they had to wait an extra 2 hours), but it turned out perfect for me. I had rented a car and needed to travel to MA in the dark, navigating several roads; having Gail and Ron as guides was a gift.
I was not impressed with Thrifty Car Rental (i.e. Hertz in this case). The desk woman was short on information, spoke in half sentences, gave me half a direction at a time and sent me out to find a white car. There was a car in the correct slot, but it was silver gray. Sigh. Ron and Gail had driven an hour+ to be the ‘welcoming committee’ and then led me to Lisa’s where I would stay for 4 nights. Mission accomplished.
The only photos I took at Liz’s were of flowers. None of her great décor, none of Gar, none of the cozy breakfast nook, none of the wonderful ice cream adventure with Liz/Gar, Andy/Steph, Ron/Gail or Seth/Daria. I was too wrapped up in my excitement I guess.
On Sunday the 15th, off I go to Maine. In my very Liston/Bock fashion I missed an exit and did not sense the error until I was 55miles out of my way, making the trip to Maine about two hours longer than it needed to be.
Arriving at the cabin I tried and tried and tried (did I say I tried?) to unlock the door. It just wan’t happening. I texted the owner Sarah and she made multiple suggestions. I tried and tried again, to no avail. So Chase had to drive an hour to come to the rescue. That was less distressing to me than Chase; after all I had already driven 2 extra hours! I had bought a screw top bottle of wine not being sure there would be a corkscrew at the cabin and went to sit on the dock to wait...feeling a bit foolish drinking from the bottle, but of course not so foolish that I waited! Nearing his arrival time I went back up the hill and decided to try one last time. He was literally driving down the drive and it opened!!!!!! Now what would you have done? Try to close it quick and let it work for him? I just begged forgiveness. In fact though, it would not close so Chase really was needed. That however could have waited til morning.
Maine was all about spreading Russ’ ashes (see previous posts) and hanging out with Liz and Nan, sister time after far too many years.
"Families are like pieces of art, they can be made of many materials"
Is it the physical distance between us? Is it how varied our stories are? What draws families together? Whatever our reason is, I really don’t care. What I care about is that at this moment in life we all seem to be on a path of connection. I loved my trip east.
Thank you Drew, Steph, Liz, Gar, Gail, Ron, Nan, Pete, Cam, Dy, Jamie, Kris, Sarah, Chase and all those from Maine Cabin Masters. I was surrounded by amazing people!