Homeward Bound

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One full day in South Carolina would never have been enough, but it was very satisfying. For breakfast Chris and Steve served Norwegian pancakes, a favorite of mine. That’s something I have never prepared for myself. A vital ingredient – family love — would be missing.

The night before, Steve brought out a huge jigsaw puzzle. He explained he worked it and was giving it to me as a memorial for John. I was thrilled. What a lovely tribute it was! He said later that he was thinking of John and our family while he put it together. There were lots of memories bound up with it.

I didn’t think about how it could be taken back to NC. The next morning five of us were standing beside the car, and Chris Pollock asked if we could guess where he stowed it. It was not visible, even with the trunk open! The very large puzzle was somehow hidden in a smallish car. It defied reason. When we couldn’t guess where it was, Chrissie pointed upwards. I leaned down and saw that it was strapped to the ceiling!!!

I had plenty of time to marvel at the stowage, since it was over our heads all the way back to my house. The more I looked at it, the more impressed I was. Who on earth could come up with that solution? It was totally out of our way and didn’t limit our movements at all. Brilliant!

Chrissie took my photo while we were traveling. Straps held the puzzle, with the help of the handles over each door. Only a person with a handyman brain would have cobbled together a sling with things already in the car.

When we got to my house, the puzzle was the last thing to be taken in. The natural place for it was the living room. Chris had it securely on the wall in minutes. I can see it from the laptop I use most of the time. John’s ashes are across the room. If he could see out of his box, he would be smiling and laughing. He would know there are matching sounds – the ringtone on my phone is a steam engine whistle, as is the chime for the doorbell. Yes, John would know that he lives on in our hearts.

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Published by Anne Mehrling

I'm a retiree who loves to write about life in the mountains of North Carolina.

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18 thoughts on “Homeward Bound”

  2. I loved this so much, Anne. The love just radiated from it all. The train looks wonderful where you placed it, and indeed, that hanging in the car was genius! One should always have some tie-down straps and bungee cords when you travel!

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  3. What a perfect gift! John would love it. I am always impressed with folks who can think outside the box and come up with clever solutions.

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  7. That was a thoughtful gift and what a nice addition to your living room where it fits in perfectly. I remember you told us about the ringtone on your phone being a steam engine whistle, but I didn’t know the doorbell was as well. Very nice and yes, John would be pleased to know that he is still celebrated, just as much as before.

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  10. Oh my goodness, that train puzzle is amazing! I wonder how long it took him to put it together. Every year about this time I buy a Christmas puzzle. This year the one I got is beautiful, but 1000 pieces. It is going to be a doozy. It is 9 pictures in one puzzle and I can’t quite figure out how to approach it. I do have most of the border done though so that is a start!

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    1. You are well on the way with your Christmas puzzle. I didn’t ask Steve how long the steam engine puzzle took him. I don’t remember if it has 2,000 or 3,000 pieces. I do know I’m not going to drop it!!

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