When my younger brother travels, he likes to carry certain items with him. Oh, I’m sure there is a toothbrush and a comb tucked away in his good old, reliable, metal suitcase but the items to which I refer are not your every day normal travel items. No, Richard’s “travel companions” are what most people would consider a bit odd. But, to Richard, they are more like treasures from which he does not like to be separated. It is not unusual for him to pull out a long handled, red flashlight from his shiny case, or a douk-douk knife, or his book. This is not the book he is currently reading. No, this is the same one of two books he brings with him every time. I can’t remember which one it is. He likes Hemingway, so it could be one of his novels. He also likes Kurt Vonnegut, so maybe I’m wrong about the Hemingway thing and it’s a Vonnegut book. None the less, he packs one of two books for each and every trip. There’s always some sort of leather bound journal tucked in between shirts and shoes in which he probably makes personal notes; Hum, I wonder if he ever writes anything about me while he’s away? I’ll have to ask! My favorite thing he carries with him is a lovely piece of twisted wood he has skillfully carved, then smoothed and stained. Its use is interesting; it’s just for holding. I believe he calls it a “stress stick”, or something like that. Anyway, its structure is positively exquisite and to hold it is quite calming!
My brother lives in Houston and occasionally comes to visit us in Dallas. But, most of his journeys are business trips that take him to far off places, some of which I have never even heard of before. Richard is more than special to me. He has become somewhat of a mentor to me. He goes all over the world. Because I am so proud of him, I like to think he has been just about everywhere you could possibly imagine. He use to travel to those creepy places where, if you smile the wrong way, Guido takes you back off the plane and “borrows” your new laptop forever! Aha! I guess that explains the importance of the leather bound notebook.
Upon his return from these far off lands, he often shares with us a story or two. My all time favorite is the story about his search for a Coke machine in the hotel where he stayed while he was somewhere deep inside Siberia. The directions he had received led to a deserted, cement hallway deep in the basement of the hotel. Once he finally found the Coke machine, he was sorely disappointed and quickly decided not to use it; sitting beneath a liquid dispenser sat a small metal cup connected to the machine with a long metal chain. Boy, are we ever spoiled!
Many of the items he carries on his travels are to be used as gifts once he arrives to his destination. One time, he took some small American flags with him. He used them as presents for the children of his coworkers in the Soviet Union. He also took a small metal airplane. This was a gift for the son of one of his friends with whom he had become well acquainted while on previous trips. I think of this often and wonder how many other people would have bothered. As I mentioned earlier; my brother is very special and I am quite proud of him.
Some have felt the need to ask Richard why he weighs down his grip with so many strange things; not I. I understand completely because, to a smaller extent, I do the same thing. Well, maybe not the douk-douk knife! That’s pushing it a bit! None the less, what can ease a little homesickness better than a quick personal note in a worn leather journal alongside other such notes written on earlier trips. Or, a restful curl up on an unfamiliar bed next to an almost memorized, dog eared, Kurt Vonnegut book. Imagine the comfort of just holding a red flashlight brought from home for ‘just in case’, or maybe the beloved comfort stick in hand, the one the boys help make. And who knows, there might just be a tiny, little, left over, American flag laying on the floor by the big silver grip. When home is probably your favorite place to lay your tired head, and you can’t be there, I guess a bed full of treasures from there helps you feel about as close to home as you can possibly be.
Here's to many more safe travels, Rich!
what a wonderful story! so glad that i found you! i am now following you and i am thrilled that you are feeling better! thanks so much for coming to see me : ) hugs...hope to talk to you soon! my email is thecottagemarket@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi Lulu, thank you so much for visiting my blog. It was a delight to have you. Your brother sounds like a very interesting man and must have some incredible stories to tell. lol..yeah....I think I would done without the coke too. I have always told my husband he would be very unhappy traveling in Europe because he could have no ice basically. Hope you are having a wonderful week. xo
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