Travel day. Packing to do. I’m on the way to Marathon to listen to and make music. Nice combination. Underwear are counted. Shirts inventoried. The suitcase is mostly full. Have to make sure the medicines are in order. Age will do that to you for sure. Extraneous gear is laid out. Guitar. Binders. Music stand. For the evening pickers circles. Backpack. Fanny pack. Walking sticks. Hiking boots. For a day at Big Bend. The latter seems a lot for one day which may not happen because of the heat. But I need to be prepared.

After a week of treatment my acid reflux symptoms seem to be coming under control. Still not totally out of the woods, but I’ve been good about the strictures. No caffeine. No alcohol. No spicy foods. Nothing to eat two hours before bed. Elevated bed, and the later actually makes for some excellent sleep. Its all good. I get a lot of sad looks about no alcohol, but I don’t drink at home alone so it’s not really a big deal. It’s the coffee that was hardest to give up because of the caffeine, but I substituted hot water with honey in the morning. It eases my throat and tastes good. I think the caffeine withdrawal headaches are mostly gone.

Last years trip to Marathon was my first big foray into the world after my wife’s death the previous year. Some friends insisted I go, and I went. Turns out it was a great tonic. You might say it was the first day of my resurrection. Most of the decisions were made for me, where to stay, when to eat, what to do. So, basically, I floated along on a wave of love and friendship. That’s why I’m excited to go back. Naturally, it won’t be the same, but most of the same people will be there. So, there’s every chance, come what may, that we’ll have several good days together and more memories to share.

John W. Wilson is the author of The Long Goodbye: A Caregiver's Tale