The Habitation
a journal from Richards Bend
October 14, 2002
I don't think I will ever be more content than I am when I have my Son with me. He came to the cabin with me this weekend past. I drove to Cincinnati, Ohio last Friday night to pick him up - His mom drove him down from Indianapolis. We came on out here, and as we neared the place, I could tell he was getting nervous. He's been here many times before, but it was always "half done" - not a home, and I don't think he knew what to expect. But the entire way down, 200 miles, he maintained an air of excitement, if only for my benefit. The Interstate highway caved into a national highway caved into a secondary state highway caved into a gravel county road caved into the dark, wooded lane that leads back to the place - and as we drove up to the place, he said "Oh Dad. I don't think I want to stay here". I told him that was ok... but let me just light the lamps and show him around... and he agreed. When he came in, he instantly loved the place - no TV and all... commented about how much work i'd gotten done since the end of summer. After a few minutes, he was fine -off and running - perfectly content. A couple of hours later, he was laying on the bed, looking up at the ceiling - gazing really, and he said to me, "Dad? This feels just like home. It feels just like it always feels with you... it feels like home". And I don't think anybody anywhere could ever say, not in a million years, anything more beautiful... anything more meaningful.
I didn't sleep much Friday night - I think it was all a little overwhelming to me... of course, I didn't have any loaded guns, but that didn't matter... there was nothing to be afraid of... I think I was just in shock at how great the introduction was...
Saturday, we had Jon Boys best friend out to spend the day and night with us... we built a big fire, roasted hotdogs and marshmallows and played a game with a dart gun... We hunted mushrooms - one of Jon Boys favorite passtimes... and he really knows them - well... We found a mushroom that he's wanted to find ever since he became interested in them... one called Death Cap - deadly poisonous mind you - and he was excited about it... I think the dramatic nature of certain varieties appeals to him... I have him ware latex gloves when he picks them... and then i make him seal them in ziplock bags...
Ever once in a while, i'd notice him zone out - drift away without ever moving - staring off into the creek below - the rapidly moving water - or maybe he'd fall of into the sounds - the falling water - the crickets. He lives most of his life in Indianapolis. He attends a private school and does a lot of city things - he's a great kid. And when he comes here, he gets to be exposed to my way of life - the mountain, outdoorsy way of things.... and I am so very proud of him. There just isn't anything, nothing else in my life that even compares to the importance of my Son... not a fraction.
He's gone now - I took him back to Cincinnati yesterday... and he was ok with having to go back... I am back at the cabin now - and I had hoped that i would come in here, sit down and write volumes about how it all felt - what we did and how great it was... but as typical these days, it's been a feeble likeness to his visit. I just don't think i could ever capture on paper, my mood and my feelings when I am with my Son - especially here at Richards Bend. If there is perfect contentment in this life - even if just a few moments, then I have had my moments... and when he was here, and I was fullaware of how at peace I was, i thought to myself, my gosh, the feelings of contentment in me are powerful enough to quiet my every worry - powerful enough to leave me filled with the notion, if I have no further peace in this life, these few moments here have been enough - have been powerfull enough to tip what ever balance my life may otherwise be, and make it a good life - just on those few hours.
