Just a Quick Note
I am home, got home late, very late last night and suffered for 13 hours of driving including a detour to see Mt. St. Helen's as the aftermath 28 years later. (Awesome, and more later.) Paid for the drive with a migraine today. Tomorrow, unload the car, clean it, do laundry and catch up the blog. More great pictures, including of the Mountain! This is the 24th of August.
Lost Friends, etc.
When I left on this trip, I thought I was looking for my cousins. I found so much more! 11 more first cousins than I knew of ( which will require another trip to meet them all), and pictures of Mother's march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, and a couple of friends I haven't seen for 30 years. People of warmth and kindness. For instance, the two young men who pushed my car out of the ditch in Prattville when I managed to go off the road. Others who'd carry my suitcase to keep me from struggling. The camp host who brought me coffee and breakfast in Montana. New friends I'd made on line but met in person. The family and friends who went out of their way to help Chuck when he had the stroke and subsequent surgery. WOW! How can I thank everyone? How can I express the closure I've received in finding wonderful stories about my dad, my mom and other relatives.
I'm sometimes overwhelmed by the emotions I've dealt with. But this has been a fantastic summer, though Chuck had to face some trials without me. For me, the closure from knowing about my family has been outstanding. I've never had a summer like this and probably never will again. But this has been wonderful. And I can only say thank you to everyone who made this summer possible.