Moving On- the Greyhound Bus

This is my third attempt, since the beginning of this week, to let blogfriends stick one eye to the peephole of my world.

Monday, I got the pictures up, but couldn't continue for the flow of all that water I've been drinking for the 30x5 was falling out of my eyeballs.

Tuesday, I arranged the pics and bits of text the best I could, but when I hit "publish post" the words weren't underneath their appropriate pictures. Besides, as I proofed it, the blur returned; I knew if anyone commented, I'd just cry, so I took it down after about two seconds.

One very on top of her game blogger- my writing hero (guess who she is) actually SAW it in the two seconds it was up AND posted a comment. I was shocked! But that comment fortified me and I went to bed dry eyed. Are the people who live inside this computer real, because they are really, really nice folks.

So, here's basically what happened. We drove to the Greyhound bus station. Here's Pilgrim, who shaved his head to mark his momentous departure. And loving sister, Fashionista and supportive brother, Outside the Box (I know you're thinking isn't Pilgrim really Outside the Box? Yes he is. But I named him Pilgrim for reasons that will probably become obvious over time as I post on)- anyway- here they all are in the back seat of our Malibu. I.T.-ologist is driving, I'm tearing an empty kleenex box to smithereens with my teeth and taking this picture.

Here on the left I am phoning my dad, who wouldn't be caught dead on a Greyhound bus. He's assuring me that Pilgrim will be fine and that I will see him again soon. He tells me he, himself, took a bus to somewhere once after high school graduation. Fascinating. I didn't know that. So, I guess everything will be alright then.

We arrived about 2 hours early. Pilgrim wanted to be sure to have time to get his ticket. It was being held at the window. So, we had plenty of time for a family photo session. Security came by to ask us what we were taking pictures of, he noticed we had a tri-pod. We explained that our son was going to California and we didn't know if or when we'd ever see him again, so we decided to get a few souvenir shots of the fam. He said you have to purchase a permit to take artsy shots in the bus station. We convinced him our shots would have no re-sale value whatsoever. Please do not send me money to purchase any of these pictures.

Let me take this kodak moment to tell you that Pilgrim is the most unconventional, compassionate and passionate person I know. His dream right now is to go back to a church he visited in California last year, hook up with their mission to Africa team and head out to an orphanage there to minister to children through performing arts. Yep, he's a filmmaker/theater guy with solid beginner training in both areas. College evokes images of classrooms and pencil to paper techniques of which Pilgrim is not fond. He will learn in the field by living and doing. God has great plans for Pilgrim- in fact, his legal name means 'called by God'.

There was a lot of time to wait or cry, whatever you happened to be needing to do. Time to hang out on the floor of the Greyhound bus station and not think about the socio-economic chasm between those who take the bus and those who fly.

And then it happened. The Greyhound bus drove up. Pilgrim hugged us all, picked up his stuff and......

So long for now, Pilgrim. I love you!

Mom