New meaning to “getting lost for a couple of hours”

For some folks, the saying “getting lost for a couple of hours” means window shopping, lunch, manicure, for me, not so much. For those of us directionally challenged, it means just that, getting lost for a couple of hours.  It started out innocently enough, list of errands, full tank of gas, and a large coffee. First stop Snells on Runkles Road, they were kind enough to scare up some nursery pots so that I can replant some indoor plants. I decided to take the “back way” from the nursery to Eldersburg.  The back road dumped me out unto Gillis Falls Road, still familiar territory. I thought I would go past the old farmhouse where I grew up on Woodbine Road, except that I forget to turn on the right road. No worries, I will just take this other old curvy road ,somehow though the next sign I saw said welcome to Howard County…darn I said, must have missed a turn or two, could have been three.   I saw route 97, familiar enough, so I take that, except the wrong way. Now Doug has spoken to me at great lengths about the four possible directions, North, South, East, and West and how roads will tell you which direction they run and to just think which direction I need to go. I listen quite dutifully, nod in complete understanding and promise to to do better. But my mind gets all muddled with all the possibilities….oh muddled…makes me think of what they do to mint leaves when they make those refreshing little glass containers of beverages at weddings…fascinating to watch. And after being refreshed with one or two…I remember dancing with an ivy garland and proposing lawful marriage to the bride’s mother…good times…but, anyway…back to directions….I suspected that I was only getting further away from my goal and took another road I had heard of Old Frederick Road, lovely drive. Although I did annoy the Howard County police officer behind me by doing the speed limit, I finally pulled over in a little niche to let him go by, he was quite grateful.

Somehow, I got to old Sykesville, happy to be back on somewhat familiar ground. I thought it would be great to find the old chapel of St. Joseph’s and make a visit, of course they had a road closed so I went on the detour instead which took me to Route 32 – excellent, home free now, but which way. So I decide to follow the Walmart truck, figured he was on his way to Walmart, evidently he was already done at Walmart. So, I get to see historic Sykesville twice. I am trying not to look at the time, after all I am not the sum total of the number of things I accomplish in one day, right?  I manage to get to my target destination in Eldersburg and even find what I needed. I decide to take the proven way home. I laughed remembering the concern my brothers voiced when it was time for me to get my license, I was a good driver…but they knew I had little to no sense of direction and given an option, I would prefer to read or sleep in the car. You know how the sun comes through the window and you have all that white noise, puts me out better than any drug.

You might ask why don’t I have a GPS?  I do have a little woman who lives in my phone who is pleased to triangulate my position using some satellite and than yell at me to turn this way or that, but she is so annoying. I would much rather call Doug, if I am badly lost, and have him triangulate my position using some satellite. He knows that he has to talk slow, cause sometimes I can’t listen real fast.

And after laughing, I cry.  We should buy stock in Kimberly-Clark, the folks who make Kleenex. I miss not being able to call Justin, he would laugh with me and tell me that we are never really ever lost, that it is all part of the adventure. And he would point out that the countryside was so beautiful in Maryland. He would always have some sort of church news to share, he followed Pope Benedict’s travels, we could easily spend a couple of hours visiting over the phone. He missed being home, he missed his family and friends, but he was committed to finishing what he had set out to do despite the difficulties and loneliness and he did so with such cheerfulness. Justin you were way ahead of me, we always teased that you were who we wanted to be when we grew up.  Keep praying for us son, pray that we remember that we are never really lost, its all part of the adventure.