Sometimes the goal isn’t the straightest or shortest path. The idea isn’t always about getting somewhere quicker, but about the interestingness (yes, it’s really a word) of the journey.
1891.8 miles from Tulsa to Narragansett last week took me through Columbia, MO→ Urbana, IL → Oak Park, IL → Battle Creek, MI→ Troy, NY. Sure, I could have gone more directly, but then I would have missed an opportunity to spend time with people I care about.
I spent a bit of time trying to coordinate getting a box of stuff to my friend, Andy. I would have driven to Omaha and delivered it, but he was out of the country. It wouldn’t have been much out of my way to drop it off in Kansas City, since he was heading there for a World Cup game this weekend and already had items in storage there. The challenge revolved around the well being of some shrimp. Yeah, you read that right. A while ago, I was a consultant with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Andy (then Senior Program Manager at the Foundation), was my colleague on the ESHIP initiative supporting entrepreneurial ecosystem building. Thoughtful guy that he is, Andy gifted me an ‘ecosphere’ when my contract wrapped up. A completely sealed globe containing filtered seawater, algae, micro-organisms, and small shrimp. Very fitting gift for a person who travels a lot, requiring living things in one’s life to be mostly self sustaining.
Anyway, our mutual friends in KC are pretty busy and it was tough to find someone who would be available to meet and also be in a climate controlled environment following the transfer. These shrimp (miniature Hawaiian??) are particular about temperature. Well, it didn’t work out so we scrapped the idea of having him babysit them and my friend, Michelle is hosting them in Tulsa for now. I think she’s growing fond of them since she’s thinking of names.
Meanwhile, I still had stuff for Andy and his dad, who happens to be a Springsteen fan, thankfully our friend, Dane, offered to be help. An important thing to know is that Dane has actively athletic kids. This would not have been a crucial data point in my youth, but sometime between the feral teenage upbringing I had, and now, there has been a movement called “travel sports”. I’m not sure why parents decide to participate in this masochistic money drain, but there’s pride, joy and satisfaction gained by cheering on your little one as they score a goal, basket or run. It’s the polar opposite of the absentee parent who disappears into the abyss called “work”. Perhaps one day we’ll find a balance between the two, regardless, I say, ‘good on ya’ and I’m glad you’re participating in healthy bonding opportunities. This particular day, Dane was going from a sporting event just outside St Louis to a different sport in Columbia, MO, hence the destination. I arrived before the game de jour to hand off the box, sans shrimp, and just in time to watch a small pro Palestine parade making its way down Cherry Street. Freedom of expression is alive and well in the heartland.
Next stop that day was Urbana, IL, a college town, the quieter, greener counterpart to Champaign. It’s been home to my high school classmate and his partner for several decades. Pete and Marya live in a beautiful house that once had a collection of odd interior decorating elements. The assemblage was so bizarre, it became a running joke during Pete’s house hunting days. A savvy friend of theirs recognized the hidden jewel beneath the weird shag carpet and clashing wallpaper on opposing walls, convincing him to buy the house. They commemorated the previous owner’s acid trip by framing remanent swatches of decor. Pete and Marya have eclectic tastes too, which makes total sense when you see the paper mache head of Abe Lincoln, next to a ceramic crocodile bust in their dining room. It was a joy spending time with them, especially since Pete is a fellow wanderer of rabbit holes. We hadn’t spent this much time together since school; warm, intelligent conversation coupled with yummy food in lovely surroundings was delightful.
After a few days, I was off to visit another Peter in Illinois. Destination: Oak Park, home of my colleague, President of the Institute for Work and the Economy and his charming wife, Debbie. Their lovely home of 30+ years is rich with love and history, a testament to over half a century of marriage. This well read couple surround themselves with books, art and mementoes of life well lived. Several years ago, Peter invited me to serve on the board of the Institute. It has been a fulfilling and mindful exploration of the many facets of “work”. The people I have the pleasure of engaging with in this effort comprise the most diverse group from demographics to sector focus.
Off to Battle Creek, MI and a visit with a long time Bruce buddy, Kathy. We’ve known each other since The Rising Tour, that’s over 20 years for those who don’t keep time relative to Springsteen tours. We have sons around the same age and though she’s mad at Bruce and has disavowed connections with him because of his ticket pricing, we are still bonded by that reference. She has a great love of people and recently realized her dream of being a pool owner. Living in Michigan doesn’t offer you many pool days, but she relishes each one. I am in awe of the openness of her heart and home to foster kids and traveling baseball players. She also introduced me to Horrocks, a market you need to experience to understand the breadth of.
The distance from Michigan to Rhode Island was broken up a bit thanks to Richard, an ecosystem builder who hosted my overnight stay in Troy, NY. Richard and I connected on an ESHIP call about 6 years ago. He’s the same age as my son and after a bit of conversation, we realized we attended the same high school (though many years apart). While I didn’t get to hang out with him this trip, I had the pleasure of sharing breakfast with another alum, Tony, who I did go to school with, Bronx Science for the win! Tony and I exchanged updates on respective new projects which makes me happy, knowing we’re never too old to expand our horizons and explore new paths.
So many enjoyable conversations and bits of new knowledge that would not have happened had I driven straight through. If I hadn’t stopped along the way, I would have missed out on something more beautiful than the scenery alone. Between the rich conversations and shared meals, I still enjoyed established road trip practices. Rolling down the window, feeling the wind in my hair, blasting music and singing loudly off key. Perhaps a bit more research and planning would have saved me a few cents in gas and avoided traffic. The randomness of tuning into local classic radio stations (avoiding iHeart channels) as the miles drifted by brought a myriad of memories. Glimpses of my past, bringing into focus ghosts of past loves, heartaches, fun times and different scenes. A kaleidoscope of memories, intermittent thoughts and ideas filled my drive. Sometimes definitiveness is needed, and sometimes there is magic in the journey you don’t fully plan for.
Some believe finding a grey feather represents balance, peace, and the need to trust in the natural flow of the universe during a transitional phase. Before I left Tulsa, there was a feather in front of my car.
There’s clarity and moments of Zen while navigating highways and sinuous paths. Wishing you blissful journeys regardless of which way you choose to travel.
Yay! So good to see you!
Lovely to be along for the journey! I didn't know that about gray feathers... I found two this last week!