Our cool and overcast morning is transitioning into a beautiful day. Originally, the day's forecast held mostly rain, some of it very heavy at times. That heavy rain happened overnight and I am sure it awakened many. Looking out the bonus room window toward the west, the sun is breaking through and Mary Joyce's home is gleaming in the radiance.
I left the mountains last Wednesday to drive to Shreveport. Roy's younger brother Mike had passed away on the 27th. Before leaving Wednesday held finally, the long awaited follow up visit from the ablation for afib and a-flutter on March, after being postponed twice by the cardiologist office. The visit held good news, great news in fact, probably the best news concerning my heart in a long time. I had some questions for the Dr about what he found and then corrected during the procedure. Five years ago the cardiologist used heat to correct the misfires, but this time here, they used the cold/frozen to correct things. The four places that had been addressed five years ago had become active again...so here's to do you want to build a snowman procedure and that it will last longer than five years. The Dr left though with the encouragement that the skipped beats and slower beats are nothing to worry about....for now....
The next thing on the list of to dos before leaving was taking Buddy over to Lois' home. Had most of everything assembled but decided to give her a chill pill for her first day there. Buddy came out of her crate immediately began exploring upon her arrival. No hiding for a day or so for her. Talking about Buddy, not Lois. Since I didn't want to upset Buddy before leaving, I didn't pull a suitcase out while she was here. So a mad dash home, packed and loaded the truck...then off for the first night in the Chattanooga area. I am a methodical packer but I was a bit remiss in packing necessary items, one of which was a brush. You might think, Nancy, your hair is designed for the messed up look...oh yes, but one has to use a brush at times to get that look. So now, I have along with my dedicated travel bag of product, designated hairbrush and pick that stay in the suitcase until it is go time. We realized when planning the journey that I would not make it on Thursday in time for visitation and provided a stressful release. It is still warm in Shreveport and all the spring/summer/early fall stuff has been put away here and only one winter outfit met the warm temp criteria. Upon arriving in Chattanooga Wednesday night, some of the planned shopping stops were put on hold cause I was dang tired. Ate at the local Cracker Barrel and then checked into the hotel. I had packed an extra day of clothes, so we decided I would add a Sunday night stay back in Chattanooga and use Sunday afternoon for the shopping stops.
Thursday was the longest day of driving but you get the hour back. Things I learned on this eight hour plus jaunt,
- Now I remember why we don't stop for gas in Gadsden Al. A nightmarish conundrum of trying to find a way back to the freeway when the most obvious way is highlighted by a sign that says no turns. Tallulah Toyota nor Google Girl could find a way out...so I made the illegal turn, over the train tracks, in front of a parked train and hoped that the police were somewhere else. Thankfully, they were.
- Most of the trip the station was set on the Holly station listening for Merry Christmas Darling..to be the first to hear the song and claim victory this year against CourtneyS. She has won about three years in a row. Some of those Christmas songs were played up to four and five times a day...Finally, I turned down the sound and just kept an eye out for MCD. Never heard it coming or going.
- During a hard rain storm while passing through Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, the difficulty seeing large 18 wheelers once again became a hazard. The trucks are usually light in color and even with lights are hard to see in a blinding rain storm.
- Driving time is a good thinking/praying time. Many a time when facing difficulties, a drive is prescribed to speak to and hear from the Lord.
Upon arriving in Shreveport and getting a key for the room since Roy had already checked in and had left for the funeral home, I had two things to take care of that evening, find some cheese enchiladas with chili gravy and buy a hairbrush. Both goals were accomplished and bonus...Barnes and Noble trip. It was so good to see Roy when he got to the hotel. We got one of the last available rooms and we had the advantageous first floor room but it was a handicapped room. Now that is was all good except for the fact that the closet had a low hanging bar which isn't good for tall people but we made it work to hang up our tall clothes.
Our hotel was one minute away from the church where Mike's celebration service was held. The building used to be a car dealership and it had been converted for the church's needs. Very nicely done. We gathered as a family, right before the service for prayer. Deborah planned a wonderful celebration of Mike's life. Truthfully, I thought the time with Roy's family would be awkward. Roy has not stayed close to his brothers and thus here we are, infringing on their usual relationships. How does all that work? But God was in the midst and Deborah was so gracious to us, me in particular. She invited me to ride in the car with her since Roy rode in the car with all the pall bearers. I will forever be grateful for that invitation. We visited along the route as we were served by Shreveport law enforcement and the sheriff's department of Bossier City. Everyone of those law officers, as they stood by their cars letting us pass without delay, saluted. This began in the church parking lot, all the way to the cemetery. Cars on the other side of the roads, not freeways, stopped. It was truly something to take in. The graveside service was brief. Deborah, Jason, Jared and Lauren had picked a beautiful spot for Mike's repose and because Mike was a compassionate mentor and a lover of family, it was not lost on them that the area across from the cemetery is called Legacy. Deborah and the children took it as a sign that this was the right place. I believe they are right. We all gathered at Jason and Jennifer's home for lunch along with family and friends. It came time to say our goodbyes and we left enriched. Truly Mike and Deborah have a good legacy with their children and grandchildren and all the lives of family and friends and those who came into Mike's path, whether it was briefly or for a long time.
To be continued......
To be continued......
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