The wind of Southern changes...

I went back down South to Virginia a few months ago and never thought to post that on here. Next time I take a trip hopefully my posts will not be so retrograded, but here goes this one...

So my very best friend in the whole wide world has moved on down to Virginia to be with that farmer man I mentioned years ago. She is not just with him but also with the little one that they created, not to mention the cast of family and friends that exists in that world. For this fact, I needed to go down and see them all myself. In late May I set off to be with Beth, and I set off by bus.

The Greyhound, alone,  for 4 days is a strange experience. I actually met a very wonderful person who I talked to for over a day of the journey, and once I got past the same exact stops I had seen one year prior on my trip to Montreal, it was alright. Going through New York was terrifying though since the bus/train station was evacuated immediately after I arrived. Dragging my many bags through the crowded New York streets after being on route for 3 days was labourious to say the least. Despite the journey, the arrival was what was important for this trip.

Seeing Beth with baby in arm was a beautiful moment. I realized "wow, she's a mama" and was taken aback by what that all meant. Arriving at the family home I was pleased with the beauty of my friends new life. The home is huge and gorgeous, occupied by their family of three, as well as Beth's new Father-in-law who owns the home as well as her sister-in-law who is the most accomplished and impressive teenager I have ever met. To be honest, this journey was very personal and so I won't relish too many details. Most of the trip was not in what I did or saw, but rather in the words spoken between myself and my dearest friend. There were definite trials in my time there, though not being there would be an insurmountable trial in comparison.

The end of my journey in Virginia was capped off by a short stint in Richmond. This, in combination with the near month prior, was honestly life changing. I experienced a lot of beauty in Richmond. The richness of the people I stayed with, the atmosphere of their lives, and the music and art that inhabited every moment of my days. All of this was too wonderful, which was apparent on my second long Greyhound journey that I took. This second trip was from Richmond to Spokane Washington, and it had to be the most emotional experience that I can recall having. Those days traveling across the flat Midwest were bleak and full of contemplation. At the end of the journey I reached my destination which was the Sasquatch music festival with my then boyfriend and a friend. Unfortunately my desolate mind made for poor company and the trip was not all we could have hoped for. Despite the negative tones, Sasquatch boasted some amazing shows. The music was as wonderful as the setting of the Gorge amphitheater it was set it; The company was good but distant.

Upon arriving home, and having a lot of time to reflect, I conclude this:
Life changes constantly and rapidly. Keep every precious moment in gratitude and stay in those moments for their full run. Do not wish for the future and be happy that the past was as it was. Love people strongly, tell them when you do, and let them go as much as the time needs to.

I hope that in a few years I can also say this: Hard times come but they also pass. Though you might feel despair, people are not permanently gone. Just be patient.
I hope these words are true, and though I do not dream of what the future might bring, I do hope for the best.