My son's backpack arrived at the bus station today, untouched, all in order. The last I heard from him, he was camping at a state park for the night, then starting out for the trail in the morning.
In my attempts to help him locate the pack, I became a member of a hiker's forum, where I encountered a wonderful group of people. I hope he has the opportunity to meet some of them during his journey.
* * * * * * *
Since I filed for divorce last summer, I have had little contact with those people I considered "family friends". Due to the very nature of my marital relationship, almost all of our friends were more my husbands than my own, and I did not wish them to think they had to choose sides. Earlier tonight, I called our friend in Georgia, to thank him for his kindness in helping my son these past few days. It was wonderful speaking with our Georgia friend, it has been a long time since we have taken the time to really talk. I had forgotten how much I miss him. He spent so much of his teen and university years in our home, he was/is like a member of the family.
He is such a sweetheart, I felt rather sad though, because all of this time, he has been holding onto the hope that soon-to-be-ex and I will both change, and work it out...i.e. no divorce. Eventually I was able to convince him that is not going to happen, and he then became quite supportive of me. He asked if I was going to stay here in the area, or move, even suggesting I send him my CV, so that he could forward it to a headhunter friend of his. I thanked him, but know I am not quite ready to leave here yet, not until Miss Daughter has started attending college at least. Then...who knows...maybe the world truly is my oyster.
He, along with several other wonderful people in my life, have finally convinced me, that they do love me, for me, they like having me as a part of their lives. I know that may sound strange to many, but my sense of self-worth suffered quite a lot of damage the past 20 some odd years, but, I think I am really on the road to accepting that I am not such a bad person after all.
I am one very lucky woman, I have such wonderful, giving, loving people in my life, sometimes, I really do forget that.
Today, was a good day.
8 comments:
I am looking forward to hearing about your son's adventures on the Appalachian Trail. What he is doing is just fantastic - something that I've always wanted to do also but haven't, for one reason or another. He will come back a changed man.
Maybe it is time to regain the friendships that you value? Like your Georgia friend, I suspect that there are many who will be glad to reconnect with you.
I hardly know you and I think already that you are a great person :). And no matter what happened in the past, it is important to remember what you are now, what type of person you are now, and the people in your life that care about you.
six...
It as long been something I have wanted to do too, or the Sierra Nevadas, I think a week or two would be all I could take though. I do like my creature comforts.
As to old friends, keeping in contact with people has not always been my forte...life was 'easier' with fewer friends in it. But there are some I miss very much.
Mary,
From what I have read of you, I think you are pretty cool too!
I don't think I have ever been a bad person, although I gotta admit, I think I am a lot better now. ~smile~
I've had a recent stint with lost luggage at a bus station. I know how that goes.
Perhaps you'll find something that will let you travel. Then the world truly would be your oyster.q
Yeah, as far as luggage goes... it could've been worse. It could be in a plane somewhere. I had my luggage in New Orleans once while I was in D.C. :/
See! We're not the only ones that think you're fabulous.
x.dell,
Taking a nudge from a wonderful friend, I plan on writing to Greyhound, including in the letters a few quotes from the forum from other unhappy hikers. Care to share your story with me?
Now that my children are grown, I would love, love a job that had me traveling hither and yon for periods of time...I just don't know what that is yet. Plus I would have to find someone to care for my growing menagerie.
Mary,
Question.
Did the airline pay for your replacement clothing, offer you anything to placate you for "losing" your luggage?
Deb,
Thank you for that...hearing/reading that I am well thought of by others is helpful...even though today's pop psychology maintains we should not care what other's think of us...I admit it...I do...I want to be liked, I want to be loved...so thank you for that reassurance.
Course not lol. They just said "oops. You're luggage is in New Orleans. Better go get it before they start selling your stuff in the unclaimed luggage store." More or less
Post a Comment