At 4:30 this morning I stumbled in through the door marked “Exit Only” at the Breakfast Club to be greeted by the owner Jodee who was there alone doing prep work.
“Morning Mike,” he said in a chipper voice, “going to the airport?”
I told him that I was and he got me a cup of coffee. We chatted for a minute as he told me that he’s joining Cheryl in Chicago for a wedding and he’s looking forward to the trip. He then wished me safe travels and I sipped coffee as I drove in grateful that there was someone to tell me goodbye and safe journeys.
I used to have that constantly in my life. Someone to wish me off and someone to greet me with love when I returned. I don’t anymore and it makes me thankful for the little things that really do mean so much. Too often we take them for granted when we have them.
Though Goddess did kiss me goodbye before I left the house but it’s not the same.
After I boarded the plane I was people watching as the other passengers drug their carry- on luggage towards their seats. At the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (which is an oxymoron) most of the passengers are from Hilton Head. More often than not I never see anyone from Savannah on the same flight.
So I sat there people watching when I recognize a face who is recognizing me at the same time.
“Micheal!” she said. “How have you been? It’s been forever! I was just at your place last week.”
I am terrible with names and had no clue who she was. I just recognized the face as familiar. Obviously she knew me from my Union Mission days and thought that I am still there.
“Oh, sorry I missed you,” I replied as she made her way passed.
This break from my Sabbatical has already gotten old. Three cities in five days last week, a day and a half at home and now I am off to Los Angeles for the rest of the week. It is for a good purpose as the sixth International Street Medicine Symposium is being held and I’m the chairman of that Board.
Almost 200 of us will descend on L.A, mostly doctors and nurses, who will take to the streets and help another city redefine health care for those on the streets. These are not like most nurses and doctors as they care passionately about those who have no access to care so they take the care to them. There’s something very Biblical about it all.
But to be honest I’d rather be on my beloved back deck continuing my pilgrimage back to myself.
Last night Rebekah came out to force me to have my weekly staff meeting with myself and we spent a lot of time planning for when my Sabbatical is over. We normally meet on my beloved back deck but I had already spent special time on it yesterday so I took them out to Stingrays. She gave me timelines and things to do before next Monday.
I sighed.
I told Jodee this morning that I am beginning to get a glimpse of what my new life is going to be. More trips will begin and end on airplanes where I’m surrounded by people that I do not know, traveling to as many cities as can be crammed into the fewest days.
All in all, I am OK with this. I like helping other people and travel is fine. But it would be a hell of a lot better, if there was someone to kiss goodbye and someone’s arms to fall into when I return.
So if you’ve got a lover, a spouse or kids that tell you goodbye or welcome you home, even if they often drive you nuts, be thankful for what you have. It is a special thing.
