The Road to Hell and back has some really nice rest areas and scenic overlooks.

Farmington, Utah..

Ashland, Oregon.

Lorain Ohio.

Mt. Shasta, California.

Actually, most of North Carolina…

And many more.

The people and places that I’ve come across that are memories of how it can be done, despite dire obstacles, are many.

February 9, 2021 mirrored another important milestone on my journey. On the morning of the 9th, I opened my email, and there was an email that popped up from an attorney that I’ve become friends with. He mentioned that he needed me on a case, and wanted to talk immediately. I said to myself “Things are fixin’ to change…”

The first time I uttered this was when my ex showed me the positive pregnancy test for our first child. I said (outloud) “Things are fixin’ to change…” , and boy, did they ever. She expressed that she wasn’t interested in having kids, and I just kept working on her, and once she started, it didn’t stop for a while. (Took us seven years to get to the first one, though.)

Five children later, and having met Dr. Karin Huffer, who changed my life irreversibly, I had finally embraced my identity. I call this my “Cousin Eddie” moment… The ADA is my calling, it’s my ministry. It’s the principle of helping the weak attain a level playing ground.

This past week, I’ve been sick AF. It seems obvious they’re trying to kill us.

And this morning, I thought it was my time to say bon voyage to breathing. I actually surrendered to this. I’ve faced my own mortality many times, and it’s always easier (for me) to just relax into it, instead of reacting with panic. And, I took another step, took another nap, and took some more meds…

This seemed like the last trip on that road to hell.

And there was a time when everything shifted. I don’t know when it was, exactly. I had called a friend to help me get some supplies, because I didn’t feel like even getting up for long.

Friend: “No problem - I got you man”.

I’ve got a couple nurse friends, and they’re encouraging me, like good nurses do, which caused me to change a couple more patterns for healing.

Then I remembered this song:

The words of this song say:

“Dreams we had don’t ever fall away.

We can’t live ‘em if we stay the same.

And I can’t do this for another day,

So let’s get down, let’s get down to business.”

Yeah, Let’s get down to business. Look for the positive things in your life that have helped you on to the next rest area. I’ve had many, and when I think of them, it helps me engage my core purpose and determination to live.

P.D., Jay V. Shore, Certified ADA Advocate