I've really been wanting to go back to my hometown in Northeast Louisiana to visit relatives and friends, but the fact that I couldn't see to drive kept me here in Covington, relying on my Sweetie to deliver me to doctors and grocery stores.
During the two and a half years of self-imposed "No Driving" I worried that I may be a bit rusty at it. So when I finally got the okay to drive, I took only a few short trips. And I did okay. But I was still nervous.
Finall, after a successful, none-eventual 40 mile, multi-stop, different kinds of streets and traffic, I decided to make the trip, all 157 miles of it. And since most of it was on back roads with minimal traffic, I felt good with it. And we made it there unscathed but about 30 minutes later than our Google Map said it would take. Apparently, patience is a necessary side effect of not driving for a long time. Good...
We spent two nights at my Aunt's house, saw those we really needed to see, and returned home on the third day.
The drive home was a bit more difficult due to my vision being noticability different after wearing the Scleral Lens for so long each day. But with a few refreshing eye drops, we made it home safe and sound.
But.... There's always a "But..." It was days before my eye settled down. During that time, the eye burned whether I had the Scleral Lens in or not. So I slept a lot rather than endure the burning sesation. I'll probably need to have conversation with my Optomatrist.
As for the purpose of the trip and the impression we left with, we were greatly saddened by learning that my Aunt letting us know that she will be leaving her home of 70 years and moving to Alabama to live with her daughter. She understands the need to gobut wishes she could stay there. She is such a wonderful person that her friends and neighbors will miss her.
My younger brother, Billy Joe, said he would love to see us but he was leaving tow with a friend. I'm not sure that;s the reason he didn't want us to visit. According to my brother Charles... well, let's just pass on it.
But our visit to my brother Charles, also resulted in visiting with his daughter, Kellie, and her daughter, Jessica, a delightful 13 year old we had never met. I especially enjoyed our conversations with her.
We also visited my Mom and Dad's graves, my Grandfather and Grandmother's graves, My Sister's grave, My Aunt Helen's grave, and my Aunt Irene's and Uncle Charle's graves. Mostly to say goodbye.
But our Friens, Joe and Mary Jean, were obviously worn down from their son's death and their beloved home burned to the ground. Joe was also placed in a nursing home due to a stroke. They are still friends, of course, but their lives are now focused on day to day survival of two horrible events. They will never ve the same as we knew them. We can only wish them well in their remaining years.
Finally, my life-long friend Emmilee, was still her bubbly self. But she was making ready to leave to go north for a Mother's Day visit with her son's family.
From there, we drove straight home. The trip home seemed further, as if we were leaving my old hometown for the last time. And now that I'm 'home' in Covington, I'm certain that it was our last visit there. Even so, we still have ancient memories to fall back on when needed.
