visitors

Last Wednesday had a wonderful surprise. Part of the extended
Sappington family - Kristal, Bailie and Ms Laney - came up from St Jo
to visit and deliver maps, clothes & tent. They had said they would
but didn't expect them til weekend. What a wonderful reunion!! Balm
for the soul. Bailie told wonderful animated stories, Kristal
introduced me to Braum's ice cream, and Laney traded sneakers for
flip-flops. I only wish we had had longer.

Then yesterday an even bigger surprise... Mr Corkey and Allie B of
Nocona dropped by unexpectedly.

They heard the latest news and had tracked me down by calling the area
vets to see who had treated a mule lately. The rural pipeline in
action! Corkey wanted to see Walter for himself to determine if my
mule and I needed to be hauled back to their place. (!) He and Linda
stood around talking racing bloodlines while Allie B and I grinned at
each other, I got such a kick out of it.

These visits meant so much to me. Being in limbo for so long here, the
ride begins to seem like a dream... How did we get here? Did we really
travel all that way? Where is everybody? The visits and phone calls
not only assuage the loneliness, they also ground the ride
in reality and offer the gift of remembrance.

Maybe I will have to write a book, if only to pass the gift of
remembrance along. Yes, we did pass that way... Your lives touched
ours and we are changed... we will not forget you.