The Work Never Ends
“Sir, is this your bag?” The TSA officer asks you. “Yes” you answer, your mind scanning for what could possibly have drawn notice. You remember that you had a Nalgene water bottle in the bag on Monday when you traveled to Dallas. You tell the agent that this is probably what the sensors detected. He empties the water out of the bottle and returns it to you, while you struggle to put the boots you shouldn’t have worn to the airport back on your feet. An old friend, and many new friends stand waiting as you wrap up this amateur traveler interlude.
It is 1:00 am by the time you pull into the driveway. You thank Uber Jack for shepherding you home, and tiptoe into the house. While brushing your teeth, you hear Nova shake her head, flippetyflappityflip, and know that this probably woke Lori. Momentarily they both greet you in the bathroom. You hug and chat and crawl into bed. You conk out by 1:30 am or so.
The alarm rings at 6:30 am. You rise and dress, take the dog downstairs and start a pot of coffee. When it’s ready, you and the dog jump in the car and drive to the kennel. On the way back through town, you stop at Station, order a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich, then sit down with your crew and catch up a little bit.
You’re home by 8:15 am and Lori is in the shower. You packed your bag for North Carolina on Sunday, because you knew you might be brain-dead by now, too mentally gassed to do it properly. (You were right.)
You hit the road by 9:00 am. Lori drives, because you are sleep deprived and hope to catch a few winks on the way down. But you’re chatty at first, discussing the week as you head down State Route 37 toward Lancaster. You hang in there, knowing that it’s easy to get off course while taking the back way to I-77 via State Route 33. In fact, your chatting throws you off course, but you make it to I-77 South eventually. You recline the seat and try to zonk out. It’s nice to close your eyes, slow your breathing, and let your mind wander. Perhaps you drift in and out, but this is not the sleep you need.
You pull in to the Tamarack Center down around Beckley, bladder full. Aunt Rachel has texted you to let you know that she’s already there. You hug, and excuse yourself for a bathroom break. Then you see that she’s brought Uncle Paul with her, which is a great surprise. You order some food, sit and chat. Catch up on things, especially the various aches, pains, and diseases being managed all across the family tree. You hug your goodbyes and return to the car. It is 38 degrees and raining now.
Lori resumes her role in the driver’s seat, and you quickly return to slumber. This time the sleep is deeper, thanks to the empty bladder, the food in your belly and the white noise of the rain hitting the windshield. You’re in Durham a little before 6:00pm.
You text your son as soon as you arrive at the AirBnB. He appears in about 3 minutes (he lives very close by). There he sits, 24 years old on this very day.
You look at him, and you see the little baby you brought home from University Hospital in 2000. You see him toddling around in an Ohio State onesie, fat rolls creasing his legs. You see him playing with toys on the floor, while the Twin Towers fall on the television screen. You see him dressed as a bumblebee, a costume of his own design and construction using nothing but duct tape. You see him singing in the high school choir. You see the picture he texted you from his seat in the auditorium the day he graduated from Butler.
You take him in, and all of these memories, and for a second you think “My job is done. Look at this guy. He doesn’t need me any more, and he’s turned out pretty great.”
And then you remember who you were at the age of 24, and who you are now at 55, and you know that the good work never ends. You helped get him to 24, but he’s taking notes on how to get to 55. He may not know it, but you are leaving him breadcrumbs. Just like your father did for you. You need to show him what 70, 80, 90 looks like - if only so you can continue to bear witness to this amazing life standing before you.
Sunday Supper
This Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup spoke to me. It said “I should be featured in your weekly newsletter, Neal.” This Shredded Kale with Pine Nuts, Currants and Shaved Parmesan will knock your socks off, too. It is reminiscent of something we enjoyed from Pizzeria Toro on Friday.
Sunday Music
If you haven’t seen Joni Mitchell’s recent performance of Both Sides Now on the Grammy telecast, you should check it out. It hits a lot differently now that she is 80 years young. This nearly 2-hour long live performance in Boulder, CO some 31 years ago by Jazz greats Pat Metheny (guitar), Joshua Redman (saxophone), Christian McBride (bass), and Billy Higgins (drums) is also some great Sunday listening (though this is a YouTube link, it is audio-only).
Have a great week ahead! Offer support to others. Make good use of this day. And let me know how I can help.
Peace & Love,