Memories from a Lifetime Ago

Whenever I spend time at the farm I get overwhelmed by the unexpected memories that come flooding over me.  The obvious memories of holidays and family reunions are welcomed with open arms.  Every once in awhile though something completely out of left field takes my breath away.

This trip was no different.  The memories started on our drive to Michigan.  As we crossed Wisconsin I was reminded of the first adult road trip I took in college.  It was Thanksgiving weekend and I hitched a ride with my neighbor to spend the long weekend at the farm.  I remember Mom Chang saying to me "you just hop on 94 east and it will take you right to Detroit."  Detroit was meant to be our stopping point where I was going to meet up with relatives and continue to the farm and she would continue to where she was headed.  Well, we hopped on 94 and as we were crossing Wisconsin I asked to see the map.  Her response "what map?  I thought you just said get on 94 and it will take us to Detroit."  Remember this was before GPS, smart phones and google maps.  As poor college kids we certainly didn't have cell phones to call anyone and confirm directions.  So we stayed on 94 right into downtown Chicago, at rush hour, on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  We spent a long, long, long time in Chicago that evening.  Interstate 94 was of course at a stand still and we of course over heated.  Eventually we made it to Detroit at about two or three in the morning and I had a fantastic weekend at the farm.  Upon leaving I was armed with maps of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota we would have no trouble getting home.  Except for that midwest blizzard...

Probably the most unexpected memory of this most recent trip came near the end of our time at the farm.  I was sitting on the porch swing looking out across the fields when BAM it hit.  I'm unsure of the year but I think it was the summer of 1990.  I was sitting on the porch reading when I heard the phone ring.  The farm phone had a very distinct bell that could be heard well into the yard if the windows were open.  It happened to be a call for me which was VERY odd.  My best friend was calling to tell me that our classmate who had been battling bone cancer passed away.  He had been diagnosed when we were junior high and never got to attend high school.  He wasn't my first classmate to die but he was the first person I knew with cancer to lose his fight.  I didn't understand then how much he did fight to make it as long as he did.

Finally, on our trip home I got hit by yet another memory.  This one was definitely brought on by the flashing lights pulling me over at 3 a.m. but I think I'll save this one for another time.