We can’t look at our lives as being in the early stages, or in the middle, or coming to the end of it. It’s all just life… and we simply need to live it.

Widower Notes n Thoughts:
- I’ve decided to drive to Idaho to see my mom and this little saying/thought/string of words popped into my head as we were having a conversation about it. My mom called to say that she is worried about me contracting The Rona since I’m pretty darn safe here in Vermont. (You people from Mass, NY, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey… Ohio… know what I’m talking about. Heck… I see more of your license plates up here in the Green Mountains than Vermonter’s!) I asked if she was worried about me infecting her with COVID and she replied, “No, I’m not worried about me… I’m at the end of my road… you’re still in the middle.” That’s when those words kinda popped in my head and my answer to her was basically, “I’m older than Kateri… and I don’t know where I’m at on this road… but there are decisions I (we all) need to live with if my road keeps going.”
- I was always younger than Kateri… and now I’m older. It’s kind of a hard and fucked up thing for me to think about, but it keeps some other things in perspective.
- I’m gonna be as safe on the trip as I possibly can… because I still don’t wanna get infected… and I REALLY don’t wanna bring it to my mom! So, I’m driving 2,172 miles where the only stops will be gas stations, rest areas, and Walmart parking lots.
- Yup, the Pandemic has changed our world… but we’re still living in it and it’s gonna keep moving on. As a widower… you learn that lesson the hard way. For me, the Pandemic is nothing compared to the loss of Kateri. So, I’m just gonna control the things I can… and not gonna worry about the rest.
- I hope you have a good day… and realize that just because there’s bad shit out there, it doesn’t mean all the good shit went away. Sometimes, we just need to approach it from a different route.

5 thoughts on “A Stoopid (not so stoopid) Saying”
Maggie
As always, food for thought. I wish I could see my family, and much like your mom, I am more worried about them than I am myself. Every day is a different leg on the journey. Be safe, take care and hug your mom tight. (And just like any good mom would say, “Wash your hands, eat right, and get some rest.”) Have a good trip, Darren.
LikeLike
Jessica
2172 miles.Wowza stay safe. carry Lysol and give your Mom a big hug!! eat lots of oranges!
LikeLike
Elizabeth
I have driven across the country twice, once each way.Oregon to Massachusetts in 1968 and Oregon to Connecticut in 2001. I learned so much doing that. And Nebraska goes on forever……!Enjoy the radio and avoid AM!
LikeLike
lssattitudeofgratitude
Be safe on your journey. After washing your hands, give your mom the biggest hug. We never do know where we are in this journey. Your mom is lucky that you are willing and able to make the trip.
If you have CD’s you can play it beats the radio for sure. I have traveled from LA to New York too many times. 3,000 miles of driving gets old fast.
LikeLike
jennasnanny04
We have also driven several times 2500 miles cross country each way. Bring alot of sanitizer, clean masks, and social distance bigly!!! You and your Mom will be SO happy to be together. We are missing our kids and grands so very much. You can give us, I’m sure, an I testing take on how to maneuver a road trip in a pandemic! Stay safe and enjoy all the beautiful scenery in our USA!!
LikeLike