The Laughing Wolf

A Long But Rewarding Trip

Sorry for the long silences, but life has been interesting. Work is keeping me very, very busy but the results should be worth all the sweat and pain -- some of it literal. That said, I found myself having to take a couple of days for a trip, a trip I did not want to make. Yes, I have wanted to go back South to visit friends and select blood-of-my-blood. Yes, I have wanted to see certain places and do some things. But, not for this reason. This trip was to say goodbye to some while there was time.

As Elisson points out, that visit comes to us all, sometimes unexpected, sometimes well known and planned for, and sometime a welcome relief. In this case, it was to visit some relatives and friends that might not be around for another visit, even were I to go back next week. And, to see some others who might get that unexpected visit.

I've dealt with both over the years. One year in high school was the year of funerals for me, something on the order of better than one a month. It was then that I truly began to say goodbye to people as if it was the end, something I share in common with Tammi and some others. It can be as simple as saying "I love you" to a bit more; or, it can be a cat's goodbye, quietly withdrawing and saying much without words.

Since then, I've gone to more funerals and sat at more bedsides than I care to consider right now. Of the two options, I've decided that I much prefer the "unexpected visit" as Elisson calls it, as it oft is the most merciful to the person involved. While knowing that departure is coming allows time to take care of things and say all that need be said, it also comes coupled with a lot of suffering on the part of the person making the departure. Not to mention a lot of emotional pain to those who care for them.

One thing I did was to try to add in as many "good" visits as I could. It was already a marathon trip, so why not make the most of it?

The first day saw me driving about 15 hours to get some items from some former property of mine, and then driving on over to the Greenville, SC area. That next day, Friday morning, found me meeting up with the wonderful Webers. David and Sharon are wonderful people, and it was great to get to see them and the kids again -- not to mention Meg and getting to meet some of the four-legged family members. They introduced me to a very nice Thai restaurant as well. Thank you all for such a wonderful visit, and David did share a bit about his new series of novels with me. More on that soon...

I then drove down to Atlanta, glad to be headed south and not caught up in the gridlock headed north, and met Mr. C and Kiltbaby (and Clara's boy) at Saigon Cafe. It was good to be back with what is a second family to me, and the food was delicious. We retired to Clara's house (Clara the cat being the true owner, just ask her), did a small amount of running around, and visited. Less than five hours in the car that day.

At 0530 Saturday morning, I got up and was on my way down to Macon for some visits. I had breakfast with a family friend, and got to visit with the lady I call my Stepmom. Two relatives I had hoped to visit were not in, but I do hope to catch them later. After a brief stop to pick up some food and some ribs to bring back (from Fresh Air, the best ribs I have had anywhere in the world), I went to a family reunion. I got to see the relative with cancer, who is doing far better than any of us could have hoped. I got to see a number of people I had not expected, which was good. I found out that my cousin the firefighter is now my cousin the RN and happily working trauma.

I then said goodbyes to all and went to say a final goodbye. Miss A, as I will call her, really got me interested in baking and over the years we have cheerfully had many discussions about cooking, baking, and more. As someone noted at the reunion, this is the family that cooks and she was good within the family. I had known that she had gone to a retirement community, but was unprepared for how far down she had gone. It reminded me strongly of her father and mother in their final years, and was bittersweet to say goodbye for what I feel will be the final time.

Then, it was back on the road for a much more pleasant meeting. Despite massive traffic jams from Macon all the way back up to Atlanta, I made it back just a few minutes late (had to get the ribs into the refrigerator at Clara's) to a blogmeet of sorts.

A few years ago, I made it to Helen for a couple of hours to meet Jim of the Great Hair, Acidman, and a few others. One of those others I met, briefly, was the Grouchy Old Cripple, who didn't remember the event. I still say it was because he (and others) fled screaming when Eric began yodelling the Loch Tay Boat Song. This time, I wanted to spend a bit of time with Denny, and he was kind enough to get a few others together. We met at a very nice restaurant (thanks SWMBO!) where I also got to finally meet Elisson and SWMBO, Zonker, and Dax Montana. It was a great evening, and I thank all of them for it. In fact, it was good enough that I was quite late getting "home" and still didn't want it to end. To be honest, I hope to have the chance for some one-on-one conversation with all of them soon. Good food, great conversations, and interesting discussions on who's was bigger and could hold more wine. Just Damn! It was a great time.

0530 saw me up again on Sunday, and after a good conversation with Mr. C, I set off north to have breakfast with Eric. I made it just a bit ahead of the original estimated time, and had a good time discussion on backstops and more with Eric. I also checked out his new wheels, and I must say I think they are him. It was also disconcerting to look around and agree with him that we were in the best shape of anyone there...

Back on the road and back to the lair about 1930 hours, for a bit over 12 hours on the road that day. My thanks to all who helped make this a much better trip. It was good to meet new people and friends, and to visit with established friends (for we are not old!).

Keep in mind that ultimate visitor, and make the most of all trips and visits before then. Live your life with passion and reason, say your goodbyes as if they be the last, and love with abandon. For one day each of us has that final visit, that final dance and kiss. I've danced with her a couple of times and hope that we simply continue to flirt for now, and urge you to the same. Make the most of life and love, for the day comes when the dance ends and the kiss is given, and the time to let people know what you think and what they mean is before.

LW