The Big Adventure (long post...take your time)

Pearly Baker says "Let's Roll!"

Candid portrait by Dave, outside the venue, enjoying the vibe

Ready and waiting for the show

Big ass family reunion

We got the car loaded and were on the road on schedule on July 3 before 8:30 am.  The road was clear most of the way, though we did hit a bit of  rain along the way.

Arrived in Springfield, IL, as planned, to stay at the Abraham Lincoln hotel downtown.  Nice digs.  Free Doubletree cookies...oh my god, now I know what all the fuss is about.  Those were some amazing cookies!

Went across the street for a beer, then took a little walk around town, to go peek at the newly cleaned up state house dome, then back to the hotel for dinner.

While on our walk, a couple of ladies passed us on the street, then turned back and asked if there was anything we needed prayers for.  Well, as a matter of fact, YES!  

So, we stood in a circle on the sidewalk in down town Springfield, and held hands.  They prayed for me with great sincerity, we shared hugs all around, and they went on their way.

The magic had begun.

Dinner in the hotel, and the waitress was a very young Dead head, planning to follow us up to Chicago via train, and praying for a miracle.  I hope she got one.  Her parents were already up there with their own tickets.

There were fireworks and a festival nearby, but we stayed in and rested.

The next day's road was short, clear, and bright, straight through to arrive at my sister and brother in law's in Naperthrill, IL in time for lunch at Portillo's, which, to my delight was open on July 4th.  

Back at the house, they had decked out the guest room in complete Grateful Dead splendor, with lava lamp, tie dyed pillow cases, dancing bears, Jerry related artwork, a Jerry doll, books, and a tapestry on the wall...it was A - MAZE - ING!  Loved it hard!!!  (most of the items were provided by my brother in law's niece Heather who is a young Dead head)

The best part?  A scroll work mirror frame to take home, made by Jim's brother in law, Tim, free hand, and awesome!!

Then, those who could come joined us for a simple cook out at the house.  

My friend Sahba, and her new husband and step son were able to come, and my brother in law's sisters and their husbands came along eventually, too.  My nephew Dan came, and my brother came.  It was very nice.

THEN my sister offered to do the pay per view live feed Dead show from Soldier Field in lieu of going out to fight the crowds to watch fireworks.

That was an easy decision.  

We settled in to watch the show on their beautiful big TV, and it was great!!

Up too late, but slept pretty well.

(side note: it had rained almost every day in June, and when we arrived on July 4th, it was literally THE FIRST sunny, nice, warm day of summer)

Next morning, woke to Jim singing "oh what a beautiful morning" at the top of his lungs a couple of hours earlier than I needed to be waking up, LOL....Then we went out for breakfast.

They went off to the Cubs game, and we waited for my brother to come get us to head down town for the show.

The excitement was mounting!!

I wore a shirt that a friend named Paula had sent me for the occasion, and Dave wore a shirt from the Furthur show we had gone to at Red Rocks in 2013.  I laid down to rest for a while as we waited for time to pass.

Got to the big city no problem, and checked in to the Congress Plaza hotel, a traditional roost for Dead heads when the boys were in town years ago.

Our room was on the 4th floor, lake side, but it was too low to see the lake over the trees.  We COULD see the spout of Buckingham Fountain when it shoots up really high, though! 

Cole's room was on the smoking floor, on the back side, so he didn't have a view at all, except of a parking lot.

High ceilings, battered furniture, beautiful lobby FILLED with Dead heads.  It was a trip to be there.

Walked out to get some food before the limo arrived at 4:30, then back to the rooms to get ready.  My brother brought his white linen suit and a white fedora, his vintage Dead shirt (which is also white), and wore his good shoes...he was DECKED OUT!!  

The limo ride went fine, and she was able to get us pretty close to the venue.  I needed to pace myself and conserve my energy, so that was a good thing.

Dave and the driver exchanged numbers so that they would be able to connect easily after the show for our return trip to the hotel.  More about that later....sigh....

We wove our way around through the heads hanging around outside of the gates.  It was muggy, and a bit hazy, but a nice day all around.

Found a vendor with official gear and got our t shirt order filled.  $285 worth of t shirts!  YIKES!  But that was what the money was for, so it was all good.

We decided to go on in and get behind the gates.  It looked like there were more vendors in there, and a lot going on, plus stairs to sit on to rest, so in we went.

As soon as we were under the walk way and inside, I decided that I wanted a pic of me and Cole with the Soldier Field sign behind us.

NO idea why it's wonky....the vibe, is my guess....read on.....

Then, we switched so Cole could get a pic of me and the Davester.

As we were taking pictures, I noticed off to my left a pair of women who were watching.  As soon as we were done, one of them approached me and wrapped her arms around me.

She began speaking into my ear about how beautiful and amazing my energy is.  How gorgeous I am, how full of Power I am, how strong I am.

I burst into tears and sobbed in her arms.  She held me for quite some time and continued to speak to me of healing and power, while Dave and Cole stood by and watched.

She released me, and held me by the shoulders and looked me in the eyes and said to me that I am healed, and that ALL of her energy that night during the show would be channeled to me. That all of the power of that night was MINE to rebuild me and make me stronger.

Then, her companion did the same thing.  And I did the same thing.  She put a sticker on my shirt that ended up going directly over my chemo port (see the pic of us in our seats above).

Then another woman approached who was with them.  She put a little dancing bear pin on my shirt, and then did the same thing....

Then ANOTHER woman approached, much younger (the first three were of an age with me, I estimate), who just joined in and hugged me and told me how amazing and beautiful I am.... 

The first three went on their way, taking my name with them, and promising to send me all of their vibes.....so I realized this fourth one was a "free agent" when she continued on with us in our meanderings.

I was wiping the tears from my face, and beaming with joy and the power of healing love. 

She and Cole talked openly about important stuff, REAL stuff (he has yet to share the details, but he said that she was completely open and without pretense).  

We walked together for a bit, and then Dave called Scott from Wyoming who was the friend who was able to score our tickets for us.

I talked to him for a few minutes, while the three of them chatted...then we walked on.

As we did, the Flower Child, as I came to think of her (her name is Patty), took my hand, our fingers intertwined, and she said "I want to buy you a stone from that vendor over there, to wear over your heart."

I Gratefully accepted, and we stepped into the tent.  

I found a heart shaped abalone shell pendant that I thought would be perfect.  She purchased it for me...but I didn't know what to do with it, as I had no chain with me...so she bought a chain too. 

The pendant was $4.  The chain was $42!!!  I was stunned and amazed...and overjoyed (also pictured in the shot above of us in our seats).

She put the necklace on me like we were sisters, and we walked on.  Oh, and inside the tent, I had also helped a lady tie a gorgeous scarf on her head...that was fun.  She was wasted! LOL....

The Flower Child spoke to me with tears in her eyes about the critical importance of saving our planet's waters.  She was clearly going to spend her life in that endeavor, as she has great passion for it.  

Cole decided we needed smoothies, so we four moved on to the smoothie vendor.  In line ahead of us was a beautiful woman with a head scarf, clearly also a cancer patient.  We connected eye to eye...huge smiles (I had by then removed my cap because I was hot).

While they were getting the smoothies, I went over to her and did for her what the others had done for me.  She was just getting over her first round of chemo for lung cancer, and she had tied her scarf in such a beautiful way that I hope I can replicate it with some of mine!!

I hugged her and gave her peace and love and encouragement.  Her name is Connie.  I have no idea where she lives....but I know her face and I pray for her in my way every day.

Ended up we got an extra smoothie, so when we had moved off to enjoy them, Dave was trying to give away the extra.  

A couple of people refused, but finally someone accepted, and he briefly joined our little tribe.  He and the Flower Child started talking. 

By this time, I needed to go back to those stairs and have a little rest.  I wrapped Patty's hair up in my hands, and played with it for a minute, then I hugged her and called her Little Sister. 

I explained that I needed to find a place to rest.  I thanked her from my deepest heart for her kindness....and, instead of staying with us, she wandered off with smoothie guy, never to be seen again.

We hung out on the stairway for a good while, watching heads and sipping smoothies....until about 6:30, and time to go find our seats.

The crowd in the stands was the usual degree of laid back, excited, and full of good energy and friendship.

Can't really say too much about the show itself.  It was much better than the one we'd seen on pay per view.  The energy and the determination to give us the best last show possible was definitely there.

I heard the hint of a song in the tuning up portion before they started, and leaned over to my brother and said "China cat."  

I was right!  

They also played "Cassidy," and "Lady with a Fan," and several of my favorites, songs that really mean something to me...and only played one I never really cared for too much--but that somehow means more now.  

They were tight for most of the show, and Bobby only messed up the lyrics once, which is actually to be expected.

The light show (Candace Brightman came out of retirement) was stunning.  PERFECTLY done, with photos from the band's history all the way up to the guys who took the stage for Fare Thee Well along with the "core four."

The "Attics of my life" final encore had everyone crying.  It was beautifully rendered and so sincerely presented.

I can't really put into words the healing and energy that were the foundation of the show itself.  It's almost as if it was just for us, who were there.  A gift from all of us to each other.

We headed out with the dense throngs of Dead heads, all singing, crying, laughing, talking, and packed like sardines along the walk ways ... many of us mooing like cattle.

Dave called the limo driver and left a message.  It was 12:31.  She was to be waiting for us at Roosevelt and Indiana, a good walk from the venue, but if that was all I 'd have to walk, after so much excitement and 4 hours of dancing, I'd be fine.

We got to our rendezvous point and she had not called back.  He texted her. She did not answer.  We could not find her...so we walked.  ALL THE WAY back to the hotel.

That worked out to about 12 city blocks.  But I did it. My feet and lower legs hurt, but I DID IT!!! 

We got back to the room about 1:30 am, and she called.  "I'm waiting!" she said..... Dave was not pleased, but he did not yell, he just told her that he had called, and he had texted, and that we had walked..his wife who was a cancer patient had WALKED....

she said they'll probably charge you anyway....he said we'll see about that, and they hung up. (aside, we have been assured a refund for the return trip that never happened)

We drank our special wine, and had some fig newtons, and listened to the noise on the street below, at 2 am.

Cole came down to join us for a bit,  with a whisky flask, and we shared a few sips before all heading to our beds.

I did not sleep much, and at 5 am, a cop was below, rousting the Dead Heads from Michigan avenue to prepare for the Monday morning rush hour.  It was nice of them to let us have the streets for our special time.... There were very few police in evidence the whole way, and there were no arrests that we heard of.  

The crowd was its usual well-behaved self, and the only incident was when someone fell at Soldier Field and got hurt.

Peace, love, and music....

In the morning, Cole's son, John, met us for breakfast.  It was so good to see him, as we had missed each other the last time we made a trip to Chicago.  He was able to sit with us for a while and visit.  SO glad!!

Then, checked out, and back to Naperthrill.

Sigh.

I rested a good portion of the day, while Dave and Elsa made the trip to the liquor store to stock up on local beer and brews to bring back to OK--lahoma.

Then, Monday night was the next big event.  

I had invited as many friends as was reasonable to join us at Greek Islands in Lombard for dinner.  I love Greek food, and we can't get it anywhere in OK, so this served a dual purpose.

Jessie even came down from Michigan so she could be there for an all too brief time with my dearest chosen family.

My chiropractor-turned-friend was even there!  It was so so SO very wonderful, and healing, and heart-do-gooding!!!! To get all of those hugs, and all of that love from all of those wonderful people!!!  

We had SO much fun, there were a few moments when I was afraid they would ask us to leave! 

Too short, and not enough time with each one, but to be there, with them, was a true gift and blessing.

Titled "Paula's Minions" by Priscilla

There was no memo, but we showed up wearing the same colors!

Me and dear friend Lorin

Up and packed Tuesday morning, and another breakfast out, this time with Colleen and Carrie joining us.  Then on the road by 10something.

We ran into quite a bit of rain in Missouri, and at one point, a wrong turn, thanks to a GPS that needs to be updated, but we got to our bed and breakfast before 8 pm.

It was a lovely place, and a beautiful room with a MUCH appreciated jacuzzi tub, in which we spent at least an hour and a half!!  

At breakfast, the small world factor came into play, as the folks who ate with us had just come down from Chicago as well, and they live in Oklahoma City, too.

More rain on the highway the rest of the way, but we made it home by around 3 on Wednesday, exactly as predicted.

Made another stop in Springfield IL on the way back to have Maid Rites for lunch and to pick up some chocolates from Pease's.

Now we are settled in, the laundry is done, the chemotherapy is done.

And my challenge is to hold on to this way that I feel.

Something inside of me was well and truly broken.  

Shattered.  

And that something has been pressed together, smoothed out, and made whole again...by the hands and hearts of total strangers, and greatly beloved alike.

I became myself again.

I need to stay myself.  For good and all....

I am GRATEFUL.