Alone, at the Bottom of the World (part 26)

Homeward Bound

If every person could be as assured as I was about a warm welcome home, they would have every reason for happiness. As far as I travelled that year at the Bottom of the World, never did I doubt that someone was waiting and praying for my safe return.

So I headed steadily westward for Oregon. And then, just before my Greyhound ticket would become obsolete, Carson City and my mother. For weeks I had been wondering just what on earth I would do once I got there. Not even half through with University, I was not certain I was ready for it even though I had found success at Capernwray. The old standby of camp counseling wouldn't suit. I supposed a job of some sort...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/-bast-/349497988/

Waitressing, then. But this wasn't really quite right either. It is the age-old question for young twenty-somethings who find themselves at the proverbial loose end.

During the visit to my father in Oregon, this topic unavoidably came up. "Why don't you go back to college? I always thought you would become a teacher. That's the only place to do it."

But I was agitated at the thought. His wife was a teacher, and it all seemed like such a lot of work. And besides, wasn't it too late? Classes had probably already begun. 

After this conversation (a very long conversation) I drove over to see the mother of a great friend who had known me since ever. It was just a simple visit, but let us never discount the power of a mother. Within 10 minutes of my arrival, over a cup of tea and plate of cake this mother said, "I can't think why you wouldn't go to Oregon State, you are smart enough for it. What else could you possibly be thinking?"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregkeene/3206657829/

As if by magic, something clicked and  a corner was turned. Suddenly I knew exactly where I should go and what I should do and I had better get my skates on because classes would be starting September 10! It was already the 5th, and her daughter was already there. 

I gulped down the rest of my tea and thanked her profusely. I had to get back to my father's, for there was NO TIME TO LOSE. 

"Dad - please take me to the bus station I've gotta get home! Peggy said I should go to OSU!"

"Whaat? But that's what I said!"

"Oh. Well, ummm..." 

           (Poor dad.) 

See you along the way!

the SconeLady

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/-bast-/349497988/">Stefan Baudy</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregkeene/3206657829/">gregkeene</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>