The Odyssey—The Journey

Once every year for the past several years, I drive from Manhattan Beach, CA (my home now) to Omaha, NE. (My first home). When I tell people of my yearly journey, they usually respond with: “Aren’t you scared to drive by yourself? To be by yourself‘out there’?”

What they don’t know is I love the adventure. My earliest memories of jumping on my bike and “trying to get lost” so I could find new roads home can still elicit feelings of exhilaration and joy. I feel safe ‘out in the world’ and know that if I follow the same rules that I suggest to folks who work with me:

Show up,
stay present,
tell the truth, and
don’t be attached to the outcome—Then, truly all is well.

On June 10th, I began my odyssey home. I left at 1 a.m. because I was too excited to sleep. So, I picked up a cup of coffee and headed out.

Around 3 a.m., I decided to get gas and check out the treats at the AM/PM gas station. I was near Palmdale, CA where we had bought Spirit, my beautiful Parti- Color Cocker Spaniel, who passed on May 19th. Spirit was so on my mind and in my heart. I missed him.

After I filled up the car, I pulled up and parked near the AM/PM entrance. As I got out of the car, I felt “something or someone” looking at me intently. When I turned to see what was happening behind me, I saw a 1964 very weathered Camaro with the windows rolled down.

There sitting behind the steering wheel was a beautiful, stately Pit Bull just looking at me. Chuckling and a bit startled, I said: “Well, hello!” He wasn’t menacing and his expression did not change. I headed into the gas station and used the rest room then returned to my car. As I was getting in, a young, dark-eyed, black curly hair Latino man wearing a sideways baseball cap was heading toward the Camaro. I yelled out to him:

“So, you pulled in here so you could change drivers? Pointing at the pit bull, I said: “Now it’s his turn, huh?”

“No! Actually he’s a “she” and her name is China. I think she looks like China, the female wrestler.” he laughingly replied.

“Oh, now that you mention it, I see the resemblance!” Actually, I had no clue who China, the female wrestler was.

“Yeh, I’ve had her since she was a pup. She’s my protector and my friend and she drives with me up and down this corridor. But she now weighs 90 pounds and I have to remind her to be gentle when she jumps on me.”

“Oh, I so know what you’re talking about. My guy, Spirit, just passed away in May.”

“China’s going to have puppies soon! I can give you one of her puppies. Would you like that?” He was so excited to offer me a pup.

“Wow, what a generous offer. But, no thank you. My guy was a cocker spaniel so I’ll be looking for him in a cocker spaniel body.”

He cocked his head and declared: “You’re smart.”

I looked him in the eye and said: “Thank you. I’m smart the way you’re smart. So, it takes one to know one.”

As I got into my car and started the engine, he had gotten behind the wheel and motioned for me to roll down the window. At this point, both China and the young man were looking at me.

“You have a good heart. I heard it in your voice.”

“Thank you, how lovely!” I was so taken with his manner—easy, open, and gentle. I began to roll up the window and with a sense of urgency he said: “Wait! Wait!”

I responded: “What?”

Hearing what I’m sure he heard as exasperation, he jumped out of the car and went to his trunk. Very carefully, he removed what appeared to be a canvas—a painting. Cradling it as if it were a newborn, he extended it to me as I walked toward him: “This is for your good heart. It’s an original. Open it. I think you’ll like it.”

“I was already moved by his gesture but opening and viewing the painting, I wept.”

“Oh my God, this is beautiful. You have no idea what an incredible gift this is!” (Being a Creative Arts Therapist, I so treasure everyone’s expression. But this painting was very similar to my own style—the color choice, the movement, the music in this piece so spoke to my soul.)

“I’m beginning a very long journey. You and China are my Guardian Angels. I feel so blessed and I will take you with me as I go. With a satisfied, soulful smile, my young friend, we never exchanged names—we didn’t need to, replied: “Be safe out there.”

“I will. And…I know you and China will be safe too. The two of you will always be with me. Looking at this beautiful piece you so generously gave to me—will always make my heart glad.” Having said that, I moved on down the line in one direction while he moved in the opposite direction.

The encounter reminded me of the television show with Michael Landon—“Touched by an Angel”. Somehow, this young man and I reflected each other’s Soul. We recognized each other and this gentle man gave me a symbol of that recognition.