At 140 miles an hour, the scenery swooshes by but time itself is meaningless; even seconds of powerful freedom transform into an eternity of powerful bliss. Thankfully his foot came off the accelerator early enough to allow the deer to run across the lonely highway without a splatter of bloody carnage. Hearts always jump immediately into the mouth when that happens, infusing that salty blood taste, and I imagine he felt that for a while then savored another victory from death.

So he pulls into a place to eat that seems convenient near the Motel 6 or whatever motel he chooses on the run, and slowly tries to extricate himself from the powerful, low profile machine, with the floor of the cockpit seemingly only a foot off the ground, and thankfully, his right arm is able to lift his left leg out of the car onto the concrete pavement first. Take a breath. Now push off the steering wheel hard, hang on to the door with your only arm that works, the right one, and hope for stability. To hell with the cane in the small trunk. Too much hassle to find right now. Take a deep breath. Now, walk to the restaurant, watching for curbs and potholes trying not to drag that increasingly fatigued left leg. Above all, do not, under any circumstances, let anyone help you, unless of course, she’s a hot blonde. Or if not blonde, any female for that matter.

Thankfully, this hotel has disability handrails in the bathrooms, so don’t have to plan the attack with regard to bathroom necessities with as much thought about safety and potential injury. But most hotels don’t have this. Take note. Got to find another one of these tomorrow when the journey continues.

But where to go? I told him I’m coming out west to visit, but, I don’t need to give an itinerary or time when I’m leaving for the journey. Hell, I can leave when I want and come when I want. I’m retired, independent, and I can show my kids that I can drive a 436 horsepower corvette with a 6 speed manual transmission, with only one functioning arm and one leg that works all the time and the other that works sometimes, but feebly without good coordination or balance. I think I’ll go to the South Dakota Badlands. Was there years ago with my late Suzy. Lots of loving memories.

So then the next day, he decides to go to Cheyenne Wyoming. Said there was a good Outback Steakhouse there. Got there early, maybe mid – afternoon. No one there until about 2 hours later then it was packed, but where did they come from? He probably flirted with the young cowgirl waitress and tipped her well. At least I hope he did because I’m sure she had to cut his steak up in pieces for him. Had to have a steak, I am sure. And beer. But who knows.

So he finally arrives the next day to my home while I’m at work. Who knows how many wayward stops he made, but he probably drove about 1500 miles. Yes, my dad with the stroke 2 years ago that left his left arm paralyzed and left leg weak but his mind remains strong and full of memories and independent stubbornness. Ok, my sister and I thought he couldn’t live alone in his multi – level house afterwards but he did – for about a year, then had another life threatening mishap that forced us to put him in assisted living and take his car keys away and look out for his safety like middle aged nannies. We thought we were right.

But we underestimated him. At least I think I underestimated his strength, determination and sheer will to survive and live life with his new disability. But although he rightfully hangs a disability placard on his other car (not the Corvette of course, because chicks might see it), he instead considers the stroke with its’ residual simply an impairment that he will accommodate to.

I learned quickly that I was not to help him get out of cars or into cars, or assist him when walking. He can do it and doesn’t need help. But why did he let a blonde take his arm and walk him to the movie house with me? Suddenly he needs help? Smart guy. I would do the same thing.

We had a good and very short visit. Not much time together because of my hospital on call and work schedule, but that’s the way it is. There were martinis poured the final night and he makes’em strong. He has a schedule and must stick to it. I respect that and am simply grateful that he took the time to visit me. No, I didn’t want him to drive the Corvette that distance, but I was wrong. It’s his life and he knew he was safe for himself and the general public. It was a herculean effort, I am sure, but he won’t talk about it at all as being difficult, but I know. He certainly showed us.

I underestimated him in many ways but clearly his determination and strength, combined with his stubbornness and sharp mind is a force to be reckoned with. I no longer worry that much about him, because I know he will do what he wants with a reasonable modicum of safety, and then, he looks forward to lunch with the ladies and staff at the facility who missed him, telling them about his adventure, the deer he almost hit, the long miles in a fast corvette, the blonde (s) and the busy doctor son he visited.

We had lost communication for too long due to his anger and disappointment with me. I made the effort to patch things up and traveled to him, and eventually, he did the same to me, realizing that love between a father and son or daughter should never be broken no matter what disagreement or disappointment muddies the previously blue waters.

Here is what is now crystal clear: He is my hero, and I love him. Nothing else matters. You see, besides my father and sister, I have no other flesh and blood relatives in my life any more.  I am blessed to still have him and my sister who is filled with grace.

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