Rough Roadtrip, along this thing called Life

Matt and I headed out on a road trip yesterday morning.

Kids were left at a his parents for a sleepover planned weeks ago. We followed the GPS to Delta, Colorado. Just past Grand Junction. Purpose was to pick up a truck Matt has had his eye on for the past while. Pictures matched his ideal. Price and miles were lower than local comparisons. Title was clean and ready to go, sell by owner.

A pit stop at Lehi's Harley shop for lunch, several playlists, many storm clouds, and six hours later, we made it to Delta's small town grocery store. We met up with the lady behind the exchanged phone calls and emails. We shook hands, left on a test drive, pulled over for closer inspection, and returned. Returned to tell them that it wasn't the one. All those hours of driving later, Matt left empty handed. He was not too upset. He was alright with not settling. I was, perhaps, more disappointed than he. He was alright with the great road trip. I was dreading the long drive back.

BUMMER.

Was there really a point to that long drive?

Hungry, we stopped and slowly ate at a great Italian restaurant. SO nice to have neither a set agenda nor crowd of kids. SO nice to decide to stay the night at the Marriott in Grand Junction. We could unload the bags, play a few games of pool, and relax.

Forget the truck.

Quality time together. Away, just because we could! THAT is why we packed up and went!

The full night of sleep was bliss. We rolled out of bed and were ready to grab breakfast and take it with us on the road. Easy, happy morning...

Then the phone rang. Mom on the other end. "Family News." Never good to hear first thing in the morning. My heart raced through the options. My mind ran through people who might expectantly be sick or hurt. NEVER would I have guessed that my cousin Amy would be the one reported. NEVER would I have placed her in a hospital on a ventilator. Just days ago, she had mentioned turning a corner for the good. She was recovering from the flu and pulled muscle that had kept her down, right? She was on the mend and back to being mom to her three kids (aged just as mine), right? NEVER my dearest friend who understands and relates better to me than anyone else, right? Not the case. Sketchy details relay things are grim. Very grim. Her flu has gone bad. Very bad.

I spent the LONG drive back trying to focus on anything else than the reality. I wanted to find interest in anything along the road. The music was no help. Lyrics sang of how priceless life is. The barren mountains were no escape. Weather-worn shrubs and jagged rocks repeatedly lifted your eyes to the heavens. I found myself an emotional mess. Thankfully, Matt was driving.

Forget the fact that Matt and I had just had a great break.

The chance to openly CRY, was why we took the road trip.

The four hours to get myself together, before picking up kids, was why the random truck so far away was appealing.

Never would have thought of that purpose as prep for the trip was made. But, coming back I could think of nothing else than how quickly one's focus can change from a worldly thing that you have saved years to own...to a far more important relationship. How desperately you want loved ones around to answer any and all questions, to cry and shake their head with you, to check in on both the rough and good days, and to grow old raising their family.

Back home, now, I reconnect to the computer world. I type to make sense of my thoughts. I pray to feel useful miles away. I find comfort in the circle of strong cousins routing for our Amy (via Facebook support). I stay near the phone and hope that tonight's update will bring good news.

There are many in your corner routing for you, dearest friend.