CB #27
Originally, Dave and I were to pack up the Brookeville house and Kip and I would stay with my neighbor Gail. I would keep working and then take vacation and head off to Egypt with a group of folks, primarily my friend Paula, who owns Rosehaven in Lexington, Kentucky.
If you look thru the windows you will see the paddocks (click to enlarge)
She had always wanted to go there and I had always wanted to get off the North American Continent. Dave purchased a ticket with his frequent flyer miles and the rest of the trip was such a great deal. Paula’s friend travels there a lot and sets it up with tour guides she has met over the years and the price just can’t be beat. We were to meet in NYC and fly over together with a stop in Paris and then off to the Pyramids and a cruise down the Nile, with another stop somewhere, I don’t recall now. Then I was to come back, check in on the new hire at work and drive across this great country with my Kip and end up in California in early August.
Initially the diagnosing doctor didn’t think I would need to alter that, so we just left it be for the time being. But as the days wore on it became very clear that Dave was not physically or mentally in shape for me to do this. He was already stressed that I was back in Maryland and he was in California. He understood I had things to wrap up, but he just wanted me to end cycle on everything and get to him as soon as I could. He was right of course. How much could I have really enjoyed my trip across the world, with little ability to communicate and god forbid there would be an emergency. There was this balancing act of being brave, continuing on, not succumbing to the fear, but at the same time, being realistic and common sensical about what the reality was. I hated making that call to Paula. We were so looking forward to it. I had paid a deposit and that would be toast. So I suggested if there was anyone else she could find that could go, they could have my deposit and the trip of a lifetime. She did find someone to go and be her bunk mate on the ship. And Paula brought me back the most beautiful Pashmina scarf that I live in.
So the new plan became, to end off as soon as possible. I packed up the house, what a fiasco.
"Our Stuff!"
We had 27,000 pounds of crap in a big rig and it got dark before we finished packing up and we had every light on outside we could muster so the packers could see what they were doing. The driver was awesome, but the packers were another story. His original crew never showed up and so he was calling all around to find folks. Evidently its the driver’s responsibility to call and get the packers in the area that he’s assigned for a run. It was very frustrating. I had to be out in order for the cleaners to come in and clean the house and the walk through with the new owners. The driver was a spiritual, calm sort of fellow and that helped a lot for me not to buckle under the stress. It all worked out and I was now next door at Gail’s and going to work to finish up things.
Hudson was now going to fly back home and drive my car and Kip across the country so that I could be there with Dave and meet the mover at the other end. The logistics was what you would expect, a bit of a puzzle trying to get it all sorted out and then I noticed that my car registration was expiring and while I paid it online, they were going to be sending to my house which now had a change of address at the post office! Its stuff like this that just can make you crazy. Fortunately, I’m of a spiritual mind always on such matters, and so put it out into the universe and what will be will be. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and called the dreaded MVA (Motor Vehicle Administration). I decided that I would find a lovely person on the other end of the phone who would figure out a way to help me. And you know what? That’s exactly what happened! It was just the way it should be, wonderful. She took care of everything and Hudson did indeed receive my new stickers at Gail’s home address.
He got the car all serviced, grabbed Kip, picked up Charlie and headed to California via…. well via, everywhere!!!! He was 21 years old and in HOG HEAVEN! He’s in a nice car, has my dog, a good buddy, a GPS, and he’s ON THE ROAD! Somewhere in the trip in called me and said, “MOM! I’m never flying again! This is AWESOME!” I was excited that he was seeing this beautiful country and encouraged him to venture off the interstates whenever he could, which he did. They basically made there way across with stopping everyday at a National Park and taking Kip hiking and swimming.
Hudson & Kip on the road somewhere between Maryland and Sacramento
Charlie & Hud with their Top Secret Road Diary! (Do you think a couple of college kids could spell Secret properly?)
Paula was indeed disappointed, as was I, but it was what it was. She had a fabulous time in Egypt and her “new roommate” turned out to be fun. They are planning another trip to Egypt and I will be included. Can’t wait!
Flexibility, patience, understanding, grace… all qualities that will get you through something like this. Some I do better than others, but all are greatly expanded in value since we have migrated our way through this ordeal.
