A Surprise Visitor

     As I drove out to Clearwater River today I was thinking happily about how nice it would be too have some company. But, alas my thoughts and the music pouring forth from the car speakers were to be my only company today. Driving along singing to the music, it struck me that I was sure was taking my time getting out to the river! I was two hours in, and still an hour and ten minutes from the river, and it only takes an hour and a half to get there! This just wasn't like me, I am far from a "hurry, hurry come on let's get going" kind of guy. But, I do get in the car and get there sooner than later! As I let this thought roller coaster through my brain, I started to think about my father. You see, my father was a master at taking four hours to get to anywhere that was only an hour away! How can that be, you ask. Simple, if he walked into the In and Out Market to pick up "supplies" for a day trip to Medicine Lake and there happened to be 6 patrons in the store he would figure out how to talk to 12 people! Meanwhile, myself and whoever I was bringing along would "patiently" wait in the truck as my father mastered the art of mathematical impossibility. Twenty minutes later on a good day, we were off like a "turd of hurdles" as my father always said. Yes!!! Excitement is building again, Medicine Lake here we come!

     Wait, why are we slowing down? Oh no, dad forgot something and we are stopping at the Stronghold Market. Great, now pops can turn five people into ten and we can twirl our thumbs in the bed of the truck for the next thirty minutes! I'm thinking, you the reader, get the picture.

     So back to today, as I mentioned I'm puttin along like a big ole "hurdle." Thinking about Bill has brought forth a blissfull combination of laughs, smiles, and joyful tears. While wiping a tear from my eye, I realized I was pulling up to the Union Creek store. Nothing unusual about this, I always stop here too grab a bottle of water, maybe a snack, I'm in and I'm out. Today however, I was in there for an easy twenty minutes! I wandered the store, picked up a book about how to make Bigfoot your friend, eyeballed the shirts, hats, people watched, and finally I hitched up to the counter with a bottle of water. I paid, exchanged pleasantries with the lady and headed out. As I was leaving, I realized something was wrong. Without being able to stop myself, I turned around, laughed, and told the lady I forgot something. Thing is, I had no clue what I forgot! So I turned my feet loose and followed. Suddenly I'm standing smack dab in front of Union Creek hats that are way too expensive. No matter, I select the one I like and mosey back up to the counter and plunk down the coin. The lady looks at me, smiles and says "thank you for buying the hat, we are quite proud of this place and love it when people choose to wear something with our name on it." I think for a moment, and respond by telling her that I'm not sure why I'm buying the hat, but I've been thinking about my late father alot today and boy did that guy have a bunch of hats! In fact if he were here right now I'm sure he would have bought at least one hat. She smiled, looked at me a moment and said "oh I think he is closer than you think, and I think he did just buy a hat." Well I got a lump in my throat, thanked her once again and headed out, this time with a tear in my eyes and a jack rabbit bouncing in my heart.

As I pulled out, I thought about what she said and I realized why I had been putting along all day! For whatever reason, my father had chosen to spend the day with me, and in true Bill Mc Bride form he did it his way! You see, my father hitched a ride, hijacked my brain, and reminded me to enjoy the journey out to Clearwater River.

     As I look back now at today and all those years ago with my father I would be remiss to not point out that although he understood enjoying the journey, he made molasses on a cold wintery day look fast at times, and I'm not proud to admit how much this bothered me at times. But, I am here to admit it right now. You see I have learned something the last few years, if it's something about you, and your not proud of it, own it, put it out there, and it will change you! It will unravel the dangling chains of shame that you have been carrying all those years. The phrase "the truth will set you free" is one of the most amazing truths in the world if you embrace it wholeheartedly.

     In closing I would just like to ask one question. Does anyone out there think that I wouldn't love to spend another day or hundreds puttering to the lake, feeling frustrated as hell that my father was taking four hours to go one hour? Dad thank you for those days, and mostly, thank you for beginning the process of me learning Patience. :)