Remember the advertisement slogan, “Reach out and touch someone”? I’m not thinking about cell phones and the Internet, although sometimes those are the tools we use. I’m considering all sorts of heart to heart connections. The week of September 22nd- October 1st was “Destination: Connection” for our family.
With encouragement and financial support from our loving, little congregation, we were able to rent an RV (for Ethan’s sake) in which to travel to Bakersfield, California for our niece’s wedding reception. Our road crew included Howard and I, Andrea (just back from Israel) and the four youngest boys - seven of us, with a bed and seatbelt for each one!... Sad to leave Lauren behind, who had classes at Hill College; but happy to know she would fly there for the weekend... Sad to leave Patrick behind, who had work as a security officer in Houston; but, glad that he was working... Sad to leave Fred and Charlotte and Louis behind; but can you imagine our surprise and elation when they showed up after-all with Lauren?!?!?!?
Our first priceless connection was with Andrea, home just hours before pulling out of the driveway with us in the RV Monday night. For three days and four nights of traveling we would have her virtually to ourselves to begin to hear her stories and her heart spilling over with fresh insights. She also spent a good deal of time catching up on her sleep. Even still, she is compiling her notes from those 12 days in Israel to more aptly share her experiences with others, and not forget them herself.
All along the way, there and back, it seemed we made special connections with the people of this diverse land...
Our first RV park stop was in Tucumcari, New Mexico at the Empty Saddle. Quietness and sleep were the connection there. The next night found us at the Meteor Crater in Arizona. Howard and I, alone together, soaked in one of the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises I have seen since leaving Arizona in 1968. We connected with the Creator and each other. Eduardo, the man at the gate of the Meteor, told us we were a little too late to view the Crater that evening; but to come back in the morning. He was delightful and welcoming. Wouldn’t you know it, he was the guide for the 1-hour, 1-mile tour around the rim of the crater the next morning.
Once in Bakersfield, my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunities to embrace family and friends from near and far, some we hadn’t seen for many years. Among our treasured visitors were my Bakersfield friend, Elaine Serabian and Howard’s Fresno friend and his wife, George and Rhonda Temple. Although our communication with these folks is “few and far between” we always seem to pick up where we left off and our heart’s ties remain strong. Robyn’s best friend, Trish, and her husband, Robert, came from Utah. Kevin Handy and his son,(our nephew, David) dropped by for a short visit. The last time we saw David he was a boy - now he is a man. Jackie’s sister, BriAnne joined us from L.A. She’s next on my rag rug list! My sister, Evelyn, from Simi Vallley, melded into our family reunion for the weekend. She and I haven’t seen each other for nearly 15 years. Jewel Landis came from Lebec on Sunday afternoon. My step-mother, Norma Price and her friend, Chuck Weller drove from Fresno on Sunday also, for an afternoon visit. He took pictures for us, which will be posted at some point in time, and cherished for ever. What a delightful man! We were glad to have that opportunity to get to know him better.
Of course, we were there primarily for Jaclyn’s wedding reception. Her husband, Sergio, and his family were so generous and thoughtful and accommodating, especially for the needs of Ethan. There were over 100 people at the reception, itself, each one connecting in some way to this happy couple. The way that Sergio and Jackie made every guest special, taking time to visit with each one, was heart-warming, indeed. Scott and Robyn were also very brave to take on all our extended family and friends into their home during this busy time of celebration. I wonder if they have recuperated yet?
Monday morning found us saying “good-bye” to Robyn and Jaclyn over coffee, before they had to return to work. Our Ainsworth family,( 12 of us with my sister and Fred and Charlotte and Louis), enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at Denny’s before finding our various ways home.
Our path toward home took us through two of my childhood homes...connections with the past. First, we stopped in Indio, California for a date shake at Shields Date Gardens. I had been there 37 years before, and although it has changed hands, it remains much the same. We passed my high school on our way out of town. Next, we did the touristy kind of thing for about 5 hours in Tombstone, Arizona, before finding “My Farm”, about 5 miles away. I made the comment to Howard before exiting the RV, “It’s like the ground has been moved.” Sure enough, there had been many changes, not the least of which was ground that had been moved. The old farmhouse had been burned to the ground. Fields were fallow, the pond overgrown and the driveway in a new place, leading to a small adobe cottage. The only part that looked wonderfully familiar to me was the backdrop of the Whetstone Mountains in the distance and the surrounding desert. The new owner, a retired architect from Tucson, has many plans for recreating the beauty that I once took for granted as a little girl. He plans to stay in touch and send pictures as his vision becomes a reality. Another connection.
Upon stopping at a rest stop along Interstate 10 in Arizona, another blessed opportunity presented itself to connect with a stranger. A man with a heavily loaded truck and trailer appeared to be stuck. We were spreading out our generous supper fare that Robyn had sent along. Assuming that he hadn’t planned to be stranded at a rest stop this time of night, I asked this man if he would like some food. Although he didn’t speak English, I was able to remember the word, “comida” and convey the offer. His smiles and gratefulness were not hard to understand.
Lest I weary my readers with this lengthy discourse and too many “connections”, I will conclude with one, sincere request:
Every single person that God brings into our lives, whether it be by family or by “happenstance”, makes the circuit of our lives complete. Let’s not take one another for granted. Let’s not lose our connection with each other. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Leslie
P.S. The above picture is of Jaclyn and Louis, meeting for the first time.
