April 12th. Judyann, Neil and I leave Marin County to go to Aunt Norma’s for Easter dinner. It is about an hour and a half away in Carmichael, in an older suburban part of Sacramento with large lots, horses etc. On the way I am thinking of adding another subtitle to this ambling narrative. I may call it the Mysterical Imagining Tour. Mysterical because I hope to be imparting the mystery of the people I encounter in a humorous way. Imagining for the reason that in every encounter I have, there are events based both in reality and in my imagination. I am sure you can figure out the tour part, but then maybe I am expecting too much of the vast assemblage known as my followers.
The only interesting person I meet is a cashier at a Walgreens. She is a person of color with a very resonant voice who uses it to proclaim “next in line” each time she is finished with a transaction. Within the time it takes for me to pay for some Skittles, she tells me her life story. It involves being the fifth of five children, the only girl. She grows up with the expectation that she take care of her OLDER brother who transforms from being just a busy and rascally boy to a potential gang member. It is a big job. Toughened by four older brothers, she finds she can do anything she sets her mind to and is now studying to be a Dog Whisperer. Her voice alone is enough kick some serious ass if you add some attitude to it. She is very good at what she does and I am anxious to be on the road and get into my “skids”. Dang, I forget to get her name.
After a few hours at the Easter gathering it is time for Judyann and Neil to go. We laugh we cry, we say goodbye.
Judyann: You move in mysterious places, but you always act out of caring, love and responsibility, kind of like Sue without the edge. I have never known a proper woman who is so easy to be with. We have connected later in our lives in ways I never thought would be possible in earlier times and it is wonderful. You are my soul sister and I think your present life is your best.
Neil: You have a strong quiet reserve. This reserve holds so much, there is an old saying that quiet water runs deep. You go about your work with no fanfare, no noise or foolish ego to you, just a “real” man. Jon