Homeward

 

Day Twelve

Storm clouds

Our last night in a hotel is over for this trip and we will hopefully be in our own beds tonight.  We paused in the parking lot while Laverne, our driver through most of this trip, gave a short devotional.  Noah is driving this morning for a few hours to give Laverne a break. 

Before anyone else was up and around, Paul decided to walk to the nearby IHOP for breakfast.  I declined his invitation to join him since I can hardly bring myself to eat that early.  Besides, once I wake my stomach up by feeding it, it is insatiable so I’m hesitant to disturb it before daylight.  Paul told the IHOP people that the meager continental breakfast at the hotel was pretty pathetic.  Well, as Paul was immediately told, the same person owns them both and after acquiring the restaurant the breakfast at the hotel was cut wayyyyy back.  Paul exclaimed about the obvious conspiracy but ate a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, and pancakes anyway.

We stopped around noon for lunch at Plyler’s, a buffet/family restaurant.  They had a room ready for us and the food was delicious.  We had enough leftovers to eat well for supper tonight.

Musing about the many places we’ve been in the past two weeks and the new experiences we’ve had, this truly has been so much different than previous years.  Enjoyable for sure, but much more subdued than in the past.  We just received word that yet another acquaintance has passed away today from COVID. Several people on the bus have been praying for and concerned about friends and family who are fighting the dreaded virus.  I am so thankful that most people recover but it is undeniable that it has forever changed us all.

As we neared home storm clouds, grey and angry mixed with patches of blue. With rain falling while the sun peeked through we all searched for the rainbow that had to be there.  Shirl said it will let her know that Cal is looking down on us and she got her sign. A beautiful promise of God's faithfulness spread across the landscape, a metaphore for life in 2021.  Dark storm clouds, mixed with beauty and sunshine that are there all the time if we look for them.  And the promise that our Father will never leave us, never forsake us. 

It is an act of will to say NO to fear and refuse to live in isolation and hanging out in close quarters with thirty-three other people for twelve days is where the rubber meets the road, as they say.  My respect for those on this journey, who range in age from early 50s to upper 80s, has increased daily.  How easy it would be to give up in a time when news is mostly negative and we are faced with our own mortality day after day.  But these people are tough and determined to wring everything out of life that they can.

Signs of home

We talked about serious things, about loss and risk and sadness.  We prayed together for people back home as news of their struggles followed us. We shared stories, we laughed and joked and sang; we’re coming back changed and hopefully better than when we left.  No one is sure another bus adventure will happen but the uncertainty heightens the senses to the enjoyment of the moment, the here and now.  Here’s to my fellow travelers.  Go in peace, walk in courage, and be filled with joy.  God bless you all.