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Posted by: Dan @ 10:09 pm
Yes, we’re home.
We arrived today, Friday, to our home which has never seemed more beautiful.
Leaving the San Francisco bay area and heading north on May 23…
To the view of the mountains from our “Garden of Friendship” on May 26…
A short version of our journey home… it started off a bit rough, to say the least. Monday afternoon, the day before we were going to get in the car and start the 1,000-mile drive home, I think my body just shut down - I had severe muscle aches, intense chills for a few hours and then a fever and sweats all night. Needless to say, I didn’t think we would be packing up and leaving the next morning. But somehow Tuesday morning I had just enough energy and coherence - and some coaxing from Sandy that we’ve got to get out of Palo Alto before we’re both too weak - to somehow throw everything in the car and get on the road.
We made it to Ashland, utterly exhausted and spent - I’m still recovering from what had nailed me and the drive is very rough on Sandy - and stayed at the same hotel as on the way down. Wednesday we made it to Portland and fell into the welcoming arms of our friend’s - and LiveStrong Ride teammates - Don and Deb (D2), in their wonderful tree house haven. After an evening and following morning of delicious food and loving encouragement, we reluctantly bid them farewell and got back on the road.
We got to Sandy’s parents home (about 50 miles from ours) and fell into their welcoming arms to stay the night with them. Later in the evening, about 9pm, we were sitting in their living room, which has large windows looking out over the town and college campus below, when a huge fireworks show started up - and we had the best view possible. It was amazing. We joked with Sandy’s parents that they shouldn’t have arranged it just for us - but it felt that way. Our own personal homecoming fireworks show.
And today, Friday, we got home… and, again, like last November’s surgery homecoming, we marveled and cried at the wonderful way our home had been made even more special by our friends…. flowers planted everywhere, flowers inside, new patio furniture, a huge banner across the kitchen signed by coworkers, cards, signs, and more than our eyes could take in… we are overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. And overwhelmed by all the love and friendship that pulled us home. There are no words to express our love and appreciation for all of you. All we can say is thank you… And please, feel free to stop by - or send messages. We are definitely up for visits. Sandy would love to see everyone. And if she’s not up for it, we’ll let you know. Don’t bother calling (since we rarely answer the phone), just come by.
The Garden of Friendship is always open.
Good night,
Dan