When I drove back to Pittsburgh from Los Angeles, I made it back in three days. I drove around 12 hours each day.
My journey there looked far different than my journey back. Going there, I was exploring all that our country had to offer. At least all that was offered along route 66. From the Grand Canyon to roadside attractions. When I was coming back, my only real stops were random gas stations to take naps and get more coffee. The first night on my way back I slept in my car at a gas station in New Mexico. I was surprised and freezing when I woke up and the temperature had dropped from 80-something to 40-something.
My only goal was to make it back to Pittsburgh and to do it in as little time as possible. I missed home and after months of dealing with depression and having Life kick me in the pants every day, I just wanted to see something familiar. Be around people I loved and trusted. Go to my Barnes and Noble and see old friends.
I may have seen some really beautiful things on the ride home but I didn’t notice them. I was wholly single-minded. The only focus was to get home. I had no money so staying in hotels was out and obviously showering was out. By the time I finally made it back, I smelled bad, looked ragged, but had a huge smile on my face.
I was out of my mind excited just to see the roads I’d driven on my whole life up until that year in California. To see the welcoming warm faces that I can and have always turned to when life got too crazy to do it by myself.
I arrived broken-hearted, disillusioned, and smelly. I was hugged, kissed and greeted by tears.
You will walk through hell in life if you’re willing to go after life. Keep close to those that give meaning to home.
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