The Four Year Old Promise

The desire to travel flows thru my blood.  I got it honest from my pops, Larry aka Sweet Flavor.  He was an Air Force man and when asked, he'd say it was one of the best decisions he made because it allowed him to travel around the world. He often told stories about loose women, smoking reefer, dancing at discotheques and he had photo albums to prove it all.  He was a simple man who enjoyed Budweiser, Smirnoff shooters, bacon, an afternoon nap, and his family. Of all the traveling he had ever done his favorite trip of all was the road trip from Arizona to North Carolina.  Phoenix was home, but Gaston was (home) home. 

Sweet Flavor on the right

Today makes four years since he took his last breath.  It's been longer than that since our last conversation and our last meal.  It goes without saying I wish he and momma Marie were here.  When he died I made a statement, this promise, that I was going to spread his ashes from Arizona to North Carolina.

In 2012 it was quite easy to cover the states on the end.  I lived in Arizona and spread his ashes in the back yard of my home on Bellevue street.  In North Carolina there are pieces of him at Gaston Missionary Baptist Church and set free along Highway 46 in December of that year. The challenge were the states in between.   

As we made our way to our new home in Texas we took advantage of a stretch of road along I-10 in New Mexico to throw him to the wind, like he did with the caution in his youth.  And, undoubtedly there is a part of him in San Antonio. 

Most recently we had to go to Memphis to celebrate Chai and Marvin's "Fiesta Del Amor."  What an amazing opportunity to finally--literally let him go. 

October 6th Naysia and I left before day break to start our journey.  Dad's ashes carefully tucked away in the back seat, we only had a few states left to meet our goal.  We meandered along long country roads and went thru the not-so-bustling but quiet serene towns of Tyler, Killeen, Bryan, and Coffee City, just to name a few.  After several hours of driving we made it to the upper northeast corner of Texas.  

Bryan, Texas

My plans for a spread in Oklahoma fell short by a tree line.  I made it up to DeKalb, Texas.  Siri took us north for another 8 miles and eventually we were on a country dirt road.  The Red River is the natural border between Texas and Oklahoma.  I could hear the river, and see the trees that aligned it, but I could not find a way to get there.  About half a mile in the opposite direction was a bridge that had a creek running underneath it.  I was disappointed yet hopeful and drove back to the creek. Standing, alone, I prayed the creek fed into the river and let him go there.  And the most memorable thing happened.  As soon as I opened my hand and tossed the ashes two beautiful butterflies landed on the railing in front of me.  I stood there for a second, basked in the moment, and jumped back on the road.  

The Arkansas release was smooth, set free along I-30 near Little Rock with a stunning sunset in the rear view.

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Whenever we took the 3day drive, Dad would never let any of us drive.  So, what else was there to do except sleep?  Having grown up in Arizona rivers were rarely seen and the Mighty River amazed me!  Both coming and going I reminded him several times to wake me up when we got to the Mississippi.  And he always did.   I have numerous blurry photos taken as we crossed the bridge.  

It was nightfall when we arrived to the Tennessee border.  I re-lived the same excitement that welled up inside of me as a child as Naysia and I approached the bridge.  I had forgotten about the "Pyramid" and squealed about that, reminiscing on the blurry images captured by my camera so many years ago.

Although we had driven through Memphis several times, this was the first time we Party P's were there to explore.  The days in the city were soon behind us and we had to leave early that Sunday morning.   

As I stood on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi with the "Tennessee" marked sandwich baggie in my hand, alone, a wave of emotions rushed over me.  Fond memories of traveling with my pops and Marie, the life lessons they instilled in us, their enthusiasm for experiences and relief that finally-my promise would be met.  There was a runner coming my way and interestingly enough it's almost as if she knew a very meaningful moment was taking place.  She stopped.  Into the wind, into the river he went.

So, as this year's anniversary of transition comes to an end, I thank God that I was able to complete what I set out to do.  And I thank him for choosing Larry Powell to father me. 

Strawberry Shortcakes After Midnite

September 23, 2016


     One of the many perks of having worked at The Oasis for so long was the relationships that I developed with my staff...who became my Oasis family.  Millet and I worked together for numerous years.  Prior to our move to San Antonio, Millet had promised she'd come to see me and I know her to be a woman of her word.

     Text and direct messages flew back and forth weeks before her late September arrival. Millet has family who lived in San Francisco that retired and moved to Corpus Christi to be nearer to their children.  They drove across states and by doing so, picked up Millet and brought her to Texas.

     The original plan was for Millet to stay with us Thursday-Saturday.  Her family had other plans.  She sent a text asking if was okay to come on Friday because she and her family were going to spend Thursday night in Austin. Of course!!  Lucky for me my full time working schedule had not yet started so Friday was wide open.

     The Oasis staff was largely Filipino and we often had some most delicious potlucks.  I hadn't had pancit since I left Arizona, so imagine my joy when we agreed to meet at Chokdee Filipino Buffet in Universal City, Texas (far, far east San Antonio).  I arrived to find Millet and her family sitting at the table to my right.  Although I wasn't all that hungry, the aroma wafting from the left was familiar and comforting.  I had to get a plate.  We visited before an hour before Millet and I jumped on the 35 (in the wrong direction) and eventually made our way home. Since Millet was due to leave early the next morning we only had a few hours to get in maximum fun, and did we.

     Before heading home we made a quick stop at the store and had a short tour around the neighborhood.  I showed her to her room and to my surprise she came bearing gifts!  Naysia and I "ooohed" and "aaahed" over our new tokens and we were soon on our way downtown.  We made it there before dark and our first stop was The Alamo.  In my foolishness it didn't dawn on me that perhaps Millet may not have been interested--a lesson that I need to be cognizant of my company and their interests.  Nonetheless, she appreciated the story of The Battle of the Alamo and loved that it was once a mission.

     The signage for Louis Tussaud's Wax Museum caught Millet's eye so we strolled over.  We agreed on the 3-Way Combo ticket that included entry into the wax museum, a 4D Moving Theatre and Ripley's Believe It or Not Odditorium.  I saved a whopping $3 with the AAA discount, knocking the price down to $28/each. 

http://www.ripleys.com/sanantonio/

     Backstory: the last time I was at one was when I was about 5.  I was with my dad and momma Marie in California.  There was a man posed for a very long time.  When he sprung to life among the wax figures I was scared beyond measure.   Always trying to do anything for the ones I love, we three passed thru the turnstile and entered the wax museum.  We posed with President Obama, Michael Jackson and Morgan Freeman.  Detailed was the Passion of Christ.  Millet held Will Smith's hand and Naysia blew up her Snap Chat story line.  And lucky for me no one was hiding in the cut ready to come to life among the wax figures.

     Up next, and our least favorite, was the 4D Moving Theatre.  It offered low budget Disney and Pixar knock offs.  Our 3D glasses sat clumsily over our glasses. The chair movements were jerky and dizzying.  Every 30 seconds or so cold water spurt out in conjunction with an object moving on the screen.  Luckily the movies were short and we soon moved on to the best of the three. 

     Growing up I loved Ripley's almost as much as I loved Encyclopedia Brittanica and the Guineas Book of World Records.  The "Odditorium" was much larger than it appeared.  Strange items were spread out over 18,000 square feet!  We strolled thru and explored together and individually.   Nearly every sense was stimulated, we learned new things and had fun! Towards the end of the museum we passed by a vortex tunnel and then backed it up to see what it was about.  There was a walkway that ran about 100 feet across.  Surrounding it was a revolving tunnel and there were mirrors at the center.  Standing on the outside it seemed like just that.  A walkway surrounded by a moving tunnel.  But.........as you enter it looks as feels as though you are spinning!  Naysia and I went through it several times and laughed hysterically.  Yes, that's me squealing in the video below.

     After all that fun finally went down to the Riverwalk.  We shopped for t-shirts and postcards, took the river boat tour and had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe.  It was after 11 when we got home.  Not wanting the night to end, Millet and I stayed up until after 2am watching movies and eating my world-famous strawberry shortcakes.  

     Just a few hours later the sun was up and so were we.  She had to be at the airport by 8am.  We had a lovely breakfast of homemade pancakes and bacon. We talked shop, family, faith, fears and shared some laughs.  I prayed thankfulness for her visit and travel mercies.  

     I walked Millet as close to her gate as I could get and we shared a very tearful goodbye.  It wasn't until she got home that she found the token I hid in her bag :)  I am blessed with such amazing friends that have become family!  Who's coming next??!!!!