Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Out of Sedalia and our "SECRET" rainy flight to Nob Noster

Monday was a relaxed day where Nice (the dog) was able to get some rest & I had a good lunch at my favorite type of restaurant before our late start. The people along the road were as good as anyone along our journey, and we covered a great distance before the rain. Despite our late start and the plentiful stops for talking, picture taking, and doggy admiration, I was pleased with our progress.

During the day I had many experiences of joy and some of sadness (Both go hand in hand in life.) At four forty-five in the morning when I went to the van outside the care facility where the director had let us stay in the guest room. I gathered up some clothes to wash and, coming back in, a woman had her door open. She happily asked what the World was doing right outside the window. Later, as I passed the ladies having breakfast she was glad to let them all know of our adventure (breaking up the monotony of everyday life.) She beamed with a now tooth-filled smile.

I had come through after a seven o'clock appointment at the local radio station where I was able to spread my message of health through fitness and urge people to be well for their grand childrens' sake. The DJ had left his card with a clerk at the filling station Sunday when I had left the world in their care while I got a ride to shuffle the van ahead. (Good people are everywhere.)

After the laundry, a second shower, a shave, and a bonus nap, I readied for the day. Nice got some love from the director who I thanked just in time for the ladies to take us to the Chinese restaurant for lunch. We had great conversation and I received two fortune cookies! This first said I would receive a large inheritance. I believe I already have in my parents care for my fellow man. The second was without a slip of paper which I always take as a good omen for the day.

When we finally began our days walk we instantly met a family who had looked for us hoping to get a picture. They had looked up the web site and wanted a memory for their family album.

The afternoon was filled with well wishers both happy and sad with relatives who suffered from diabetes. (Their eyes tell so much.) Others included a smiling doctor who left his card clipped to a donation who grasped my hand firmly in thanks but said little. Many who have diabetes and others who came and had soulful conversation.

I received a call from my son to tell me he was leaving today to ultimately live with his best friend in Washington State. A plan he has held for years, I cannot discourage him given my bent for adventure. I am sad nonetheless, my son leaving the nest. Moments later as I walked over a bridge a blue heron took flight down the stream and I was comforted by the symbolism. The bridge, stream, and migratory blue heron. I had never seen one so close: a beautiful creature.

A quote:
"You are the bows from which your children are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, an He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let you bending in the archer's hand be for gladness; for even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves the bow that is stable."
Kahlil Gibran.

Where was I? Oh yes, the day continued with many gifts of food and water as we walked the wide and ever longer stretches of highway 50. Then as the storm clouds rolled in I stubbornly pushed on. As I stopped at an intersection to a gravel road and the rain started to fall, our support team (and council) arrived with abundance in the form of a woman from across the road, three local teenage girls in a pickup truck, and two women I had eaten lunch with before I left Sedalia (appropriate host city of the Missouri state fair.) Nice (the dog), usually quiet, cooed at the prospect of getting out of the rain and being surrounded by so many women. (His favorite thing next to frozen steak sickles.) They all counciled that I should not walk into the dark and rain, but should go get the van while the girls stayed with the World then strap it to on back and go to eat at Pizza Hut with the girls up the road where I could find a safe haven. Women do know best. It is in their nature. Nice (the dog) happily jumped in and we retrieved the van. One of the women gave him a bag of treats and a very large bag of dog food she had over-stocked for her visiting daughter's dogs. We put the World safely on the rear of the van and the girls escorted us to dinner. After the interesting conversation with the three girls and the additional friend, a young man who worked at a pig farm, we said our good-byes and left alone. Only for a few minutes as I had neglected to mention to the manager of the restaurant I was parked in the back of the parking lot so she called the police about the suspicious van. The ball could not be seen as it was backed against some trees. After an explanation, the kind officers showed me where I could park for the night and with a recommendation to drive over a narrow bridge viaduct, we find ourselves here in Nob Noster this morning under cloudy skies that threaten rain till this afternoon.

I would have stubbornly spotted the van here last night, left Nice(the dog) to sleep and walked in the pouring rain out of dumb pride (the cause of many wars)and possibly been caught prone on the two lane bridge like a raccoon in the night frozen and squashed by a car. This time I listened to the women, besides, it was six to one. Along with Nice(the dog) and his obvious vote.

Now the decision to risk getting caught in a shower or wait a few hours till the threat of rain has passed. You might guess I will walk sooner than later. I admit to being stubborn.

Have a wonderful day. It was nice to take this time to post so fully yesterday's experiences.

2 comments:

Kat said...

I keep on timing out here.

There are so many willing people out here to help. Please let us know your approximate location so that we can track you down.

There is a location in KC just waiting for you. A bed, a shower and whatever else you need.

Also help in between Warrensburg and Kc.

Just got to know how to catch up with you.

K

Cathy said...

I know that you & Nice are finding the best people on this planet.

I hope that you both continue to find Good Support People (GSP).

I'm here if you need me.

Cathy