Give Me a Map

Wanderlust - a strong desire or impulse to wander, to travel and to explore the world.

I’m a homebody at heart, and I‘ve never been much of a history nut, but I love the feeling of going to an unknown destination, grabbing a map and visiting historical places. Let it be known that my definition of “historical” is very broad.

I discovered this side of my personality when I joined my sister, Lisa, and her family on a trip to Disneyland about 10 years ago. I decided that I was in California and I might never be there again, so I rented a car, got a map, and went cruising. I had not a clue where I was going, but the things on my list of things to see included the beach in Santa Monica, Rodeo Drive, and Hollywood. Despite a few setbacks and wrong turns I was able to check all of those destinations off of my list AND return in one piece to my sister and her family at the hotel.

If not for wanderlust I would never have planned and set out on our 2008 Family RV Road Trip to Virginia. We had a lot of ups and downs on that trip, but it was so much fun. Monticello was one of the things on my list of things to see on that trip and I was able to cross it off the list. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to visit all of the places I wanted to see, so I will definitely be making a return trip some day.

I have Judge Warner to thank for providing me with an opportunity to visit Tennessee and giving me a chance to feed that wanderlust. When I made our travel plans to go his graveside services I gave us a little time to do some site-seeing, so instead of traveling down the Interstate from Nashville to Lewisburg we took the scenic route and went down part of the Natchez Trace Parkway. I couldn’t help but think of the Beatles song, “The Long and Winding Road” as I drove. The next time I drive that road it will be in a convertible in the late spring.

We were able to make it to downtown Nashville and the entertainment district that night, which is basically just another 6th Street. We had fun, but I was reminded once again that I’ve gotten old because all of the “girls” walking down the street weren’t wearing enough clothing and the music was way too loud.

The next day we had lot of time before we had to head to the airport, so we decided to visit the Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee. In November of 1864 the Battle of Franklin was fought just miles from this house. Over 9,000 soldiers were lost in a battle that lasted approximately 5 hours. The McGavock’s house was used as a hospital to help the wounded and the dying. The remains of 1,500 soldiers are buried in the McGavock Cemetery next to the house.

From there we traveled on Old Hickory Blvd. to the Loveless Café off of Hwy. 100. Along the way we saw the most beautiful houses and landscaping EVER. We wondered what it was these people did to be able to afford to live in these mansions especially in this economy. Once we got to the Loveless Café we shopped in the shops and then had some good southern cookin’ - biscuits & gravy with fried chicken. Yum.

Too soon our visit was over and we had to head to the airport.

I will be returning to this area in the upcoming years to visit Judge Warner’s grave, and I look forward to getting a map and satisfying that wanderlust.

Final Wishes and Texas Dirt

Judge Warner’s final wish was to be buried under a shade tree (because it gets hot up there) in Lewisburg, Tennessee. His burial was on July 24th and Judge Rodriguez (Linda), Rene and I were able to go and say a last goodbye.

All three of us wondered why it was he wanted to be laid to rest there, but once we saw his final resting place we had our questions answered. Tennessee is full of trees and “real” mountains and rolling hills, and everything was lush and green. His shade tree is a big magnolia and there are peony shrubs planted at each gravesite, which apparently bloom in the spring and create a beautiful sea of colors.

We decided he needed to be buried with a little bit of Texas dirt, so we brought some from his yard, some from the foot of a pecan tree that he could see out of his office window at the courthouse, and some from the new Dallas Cowboy football stadium. All of us there from Texas sprinkled it on his coffin as we said our goodbyes. When the service was over and we were visiting with those that had gathered, he thanked us for being there by showering us with raindrops, which helped wash away our tears.

His two eldest children live just down the road from the cemetery and I know they are at peace knowing he is nearby.

I am at peace knowing that he will no longer be suffering from the ravaging effects of the chemo and radiation. I am at peace because I was able to tell him how much he meant to me. I am at peace because I know that he will be waiting for me with open arms when we meet again.

Celebration of Life

Yesterday was Judge Warner's funeral and I managed to get through it without too many tears. Each day brings less tears and more memories. Tomorrow Judge Rodriguez, Rene and I are flying to Lewisburg, Tennessee, for the graveside services. It will give me the opportunity to say goodbye one more time and bring a little closure to me.

Already Giving Orders

When I left the hospital yesterday I was conflicted. I had seen my HSW before lunch and he was lucid and talking and I gave him a kiss and told him I’d see him again later. About an hour after that is when he slipped into unconsciousness. I was torn but I had decided that I had said my goodbyes and would not see him again. He was moved him to a private room during the time that I was still visiting with his family, so before I left I was able to give him another kiss, but because of my emotional state I was not able to tell him what I wanted him to know. That was the reason for my conflicted feelings.

When I stopped by the hospital today around lunch my plans were to say a quick hello, give him a kiss, and hug his family, and get out. I sure did receive much more than that — I found peace there.

Shelly (my BFF’s sister and my surrogate sister) and I found ourselves there at lunch when the Judge’s family needed some time away from the hospital to get lunch. She and I sat and visited with each other and him, held his hand, told each other Judge Warner stories, and let him know that we were going to do our best to take care of his youngest daughter, Jacquie, as well as his other kids and grandkids. Before I left I let him know how much he meant to me, how much I loved him, how much I was going to miss him, and that I was going to be okay without him.

It was about 10 minutes later as I was sitting in the hospital parking lot calling other friends to give them an update that I got the call that he had passed away. About 10 minutes after he passed the heavens opened up over the hospital and we got some well needed rain. I have no doubt he’s already up there issuing orders.

Sad Good-Byes

Today I gave Judge Warner the last kiss I'll ever be able to give him. The cancer that he fought last year (and we had hoped he had won the battle against) came back 3 months ago, and the chemo and radiation was just too much for his body to take this time. He's been in ICU for a week with pneumonia, kidney failure, and heart problems, but his will is so strong that he's been trying to pull through it all. Because of his strong will his friends and family, which are many, have all had a chance to visit with him and tell him how much they love him, and to hope and pray that he would get better. He must have decided today that he was just too tired to fight it any longer. He lost consciousness and isn't expected to regain it.

For the last 22 years this man has been my boss and my surrogate dad and my best friend. I came to work for him when I was 20 years old. My Mom & Dad say that he finished up my raisin', and they're right. He liked to tell people that him & I have lasted longer than both of his marriages did.

I wasn't ready to say good-bye.