Friday, December 13, 2024

Three Beautiful Things 12-12-2024: Terry Feeds Me Really Well, Long Grateful Thoughts on the Road, I Return to Kellogg in Good Health

1. I wasn't exactly lightning quick getting out the door this morning to begin my drive back to Kellogg. 

No matter.

Terry prepared a delicious and bracing breakfast: sausage from a family grown pig (Sarah raised it), scrambled eggs, and pancakes. 

I was ready to crawl north on I-205, whiz east on I-84, blast up I-82 and across the top of the Tri-Cities on I-182, rocket up US 395 to Ritzville, and then fly east to Kellogg on I-90. I latted up a couple of times and stopped twice for fuel and made stops at three rest areas. 

2. I had a lot of time to think on this 8.5 hour drive.

Mostly I thought about how everyone I visited on this trip are simply superb people and great friends. 

I was nourished, stimulated, uplifted, and at ease with everyone I saw, all the conversations I had, and all the time we spent together. 

I was in great spirits when I arrived in Oregon, but somehow my friends and our time together raised my already high spirits even higher. 

3. Likewise, I was very happy to return to Kellogg. Debbie and I had a long and very thoughtful conversation about a wide variety of things almost immediately upon my return. I also enjoyed a great reunion with Copper who seemed very happy to be at my side again after a nearly ten day separation.

I'll also add that I was around a lot of people, sometimes in small spaces. I ate some foods that are listed as high risk for me post-transplant. I wore a mask at the Oregon Contemporary Theater, at the casino, and at the Irish jam. I took some risks. I exercised precautions, too. 

Now, here I am, back home, having been with a bunch of people and having done a bunch of fun stuff, and I'm well. 

It seems to me that my immune system is working pretty well. I thought this trip would be a good test. I hoped my system would pass the test and, as of today (Friday), it appears that nothing I did or ate made me sick. 

I'm telling you: for me, this is HUGE. 

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