And ‘What Was I Thinking’

My recent Minneapolis trip was most assuredly a ‘long lonesome journey’ that stretched from the song’s lyrics to nineteen hours rather than the sixteen Bob Seger sings about. And yes, there were thoughts about the woman who encouraged me to travel again over the screaming of the seven children a single mother had boughten aboard.

There was no engine noise moaning out its ‘one note song‘ either when we stopped to call EMS for someone that had a seizure and was lying on the floor. I suppose what made it worse was we were only twenty miles out and I could see my cardiologist’s office from where we parked and waited.

And so, it began my late ‘Birthday Month‘ journey to the lands of Paul Bunyan, Kent Hrbek and a flashback of what Detroit use to look like; while my layover in Chicago was uneventful if you count dealers trying to sell marijuana as such.

It rained and rained some more all-day Tuesday, like the ‘Never-ending Rain’ in the Addams Family clip below.

Then ‘Wednesday’ came along and did a dance to brighten the day long enough for a baseball game to be enjoyed, which my Tigers won.

The sky’s stayed clear long enough to schedule a video session with therapist, Agnieszka Rdesinska, whom I should’ve recorded but hadn’t for Thursday.

The skies opened up again that day and recalling a friend’s words about Minneapolis as we were comparing it to Boston and other cities a mere hours before, I posted this.

Sure, I had heard of the racial tensions in the city and fortunately I didn’t experience any of that. What I felt was cold. “Icy’ as my friend had said and a resemblance of a Detroit of the past yet they hadn’t fought their way out as we had and continue to do. They’re stuck with strip clubs, dive bars and what appeared as a homeless problem tucked in with named hotels and motels. While no one seemed to know anything, even a police officer, gave me directions to the wrong Marriott upon arrival. Two within four blocks of one another create awkwardness for its tourist like me visiting for the first time.

Around Town

Then there was the food, or lack thereof it in the motel. There was none without going out. Upon arrival I scoured the nearby streets and found a pizzeria whose prices were simply outrageous. Twenty-seven dollars for three slices but I was hungry and gave in. No Seven-Eleven and the only party store I crossed was closed, no other choice as I was hungry and tired of it all by this point.

I finally found a grocery, a Whole Foods, which are no better for the inner city. A single Starbucks I passed while looking for the post office to ship out a friendly greeting I had planned.

The highlight of the stay, other than the game of course, was finding a sports bar named ‘The Loon Cafe’.

The chicken fingers and fries were delicious. Service was super friendly, and they had the 4th of July Tigers-Twins game on several tv’s in the establishment.

Plus, they had, I imagine, every ‘bobble head’ the Twins have produced lining the shelves around the bar.

VC with Agnes

I knew she was worried how I was doing out on my own for the first time since the heart issues followed with cancer and its subsequent treatment. The memories of travels past and the woman who inspired me to do so were there and she knew it. But I felt good, I told her, with the exception of being disappointed by the city, the long travel and the thoughts of that same travel back.

We spoke of my returning by flight, relationships, growth and my apology to Shanna and her acceptance. Agnes is as happy as I in my decision. She believes my old friend and I are a good fit and what had happened between us came about because we were both dealing with our own demons at the same time.

“Every relationship,” Agnes reminded me, “has its own issues and conflicts that can cause hurt. But that hurt is not because of love; it’s because of our egos. Love is what makes it ok again. It soothes our pain and lets us reconnect.”

We talked of America’s gun addiction and mental health issues and lack thereof. Couple that with poor health care, as compared to other countries across the globe, I shared my belief to her on why we seem to have daily shooting nationwide.

We closed with hopes of closure with the other who still occupies so many of my thoughts both happy and painful, while agreeing communication would be the best resolve. But time will tell.

Returning Home

Getting back to the station Friday was easy. It was only drizzling, and I didn’t get too wet during the walk. Bus was on time and although I hadn’t eaten breakfast, I knew there were two McDonald stops coming right off the bat. Normal food, as fast is defined, and I’d be able to eat within two hours. But it is a long way from Minneapolis to Madison, Wisconsin before the turn South for Chicago.

However, right before we hit Madison, an hour or so East of Milwaukee, this appeared. Wednesday was doing her dance again.

Outside of the long haul and aches and pains of being seated so long the journey showed signs of hope when the ‘rainbow’ appeared out of nowhere.

It is here, when “You pretend it doesn’t bother you. But you just want to explode,” as all those cliches come flooding back in from the joy that once was. The rainbow had suddenly become a trigger, I just as quickly text the photo out to some that matter to me, bringing back that joy by sharing my sadness as happiness. It worked.

Chicago

Short lived, I should’ve included above about that happiness. We were called to board, as it looked like we off on the final leg back to Detroit. First in line, I receive a ‘ping’. Damn it’s from Greyhound saying our return will be delayed. Not how long or reason why, just delayed. We stand for another hour before a bus finally pulls up.

They begin loading a handicapped woman in a wheelchair aboard with a lift like this, I had snapped in Minneapolis. It folds out from the midsection of the bus as the middle seats can be pushed forward snd backwards making room for the wheelchaired rider.

The elderly woman couldn’t walk at all, and whoever left her to travel alone should be ashamed of themselves. She apparently had urinated herself several times as she stunk badly. By the time the rest of us were boarded, the entire buss smelt of piss.

And guess who was right in front of her? As we pulled out of the loading bay, the driver still hadn’t turned on the air conditioning to help eliminate the odor.

I had enough and shouted loudly enough so he could hear, and it was finally turned on.

A few hours later the woman asked me if I had a coat, I could give her to cover up with, as the blanket she was carrying was completely piss soaked and she was cold from the air. Sadly, I had to tell her ‘No’ I didn’t as the only coat I had brought along, a rain jacket suggested by Midori, (first segment ‘Fireworks Soar‘) was stored underneath the bus with my luggage.

I absolutely felt terrible for her but there wasn’t a thing I could do but try and cheer her up. One other passenger checked in on her as well but was in the same predicament. I just pray whoever was picking her up in Detroit upon our arrival showed and is able to care for her needs.

As I’m closing this portion of the trip, I can only shake my head at those that hurt or simply don’t care about other’s feelings. Imagine if that were you or your loved one and all she/he had were a stranger with enough empathy to keep her company. You might be grateful for that but remember you put them in that position.

That goes for more than situations like this in life too!

And to executives at Greyhound and all other carriers, how much more difficult would it be to carry a couple blankets aboard for cases like this? You should be ashamed as well; it was your employees who loaded her knowing full well what had transpired prior.

To my friends Midori and Neil this isn’t about our time together. That was priceless, this is just about my journey, and I can never say ‘Thank You’ enough for being ‘real’ in a world of Want-To-Be’s. Your friendship will always be cherished! Love you both!

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