Alone, at the Bottom of the World (part 24)

Speeding West

It was certainly time to get home, and I was heading westward as fast as Greyhound could get me there. The experience with that bus driver made travel right then seem strangely undesirable. I would make a beeline to my sister!

But I had an important stop to make first, in a sweet small town where one of the 'Trio' would be visiting her parents right about then (Alone, part 3 - December 18, 2013). Joyce. She of the lovely hair and soprano voice; she who could not/would not wake up easily in the mornings; who could not bear the sausage and mash each Tuesday dinner (and gave it to me, who consequently gained a stone that captivating Kiwi year!). 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/auvet/3618342648/

Her family lived in Flaxton, North Dakota, a state so flat and so filled with wheat that one could see the harvest popping out in every direction. It was August, 1973, and clearly a very good year for the North Dakota farmers.

I called Joyce's mother as the bus paused in Minot, explaining who I was. She said that oh yes, Joyce had told her all about the Trio and about me. And that she would be so happy if I came to visit. And that Joyce had left there only a few hours before! Ohhhh, if only!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerlynn/220691800/

But I was given the most enormous North Dakota welcome. We ate splendid dinners. At sunset we gazed at North Dakota's contribution to America's great Bread Basket. The Amber Waves of Grain, I believe they are called. 

And I got to know another terrific American family, who took me in as though I were their own. Joyce's mother took me shopping for a dress, and made me a delicious box lunch for the next day's bus trip. As I boarded, she hugged me and handed me an envelope. "Open it once you are moving, dear. Goodbye! God bless you!"

We waved until we could no longer see each other. I turned back to open the envelope, and in it was cash; beautiful dollars which made a huge difference to one whose 'cupboards' were nearly bare. 

Providence. Once again, taken care of. Loved. Guided. Not forgotten; never forgotten.

All the way, from sea to shining sea.


See you along the way!
the SconeLady


*field photo may be barley

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/auvet/3618342648/">jimmywayne</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>


photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerlynn/220691800/">Roger Lynn</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>