Memories from Our September 2016 Journey ~ The Sebrings

by usathroughoureyes

The 18th day of September, and of our journey, unfolded like so many others – a change of plans and of allowing – allowing ourselves to be open once again to people unknown before this day, to hearing about a lifetime lived, to seeing the beauty found in a family, to learning about a journey. As the months, have drifted by since our journey through the northern United States, from east to west and back again, this moment is one that has remained strongly with me.

We had been traveling long and hard for the past several days; twelve hours that included the long awaited for Yellowstone National Park the day before, after a fitful few hours “sleep” in our car at a rest stop in Montana, after a full day before that in Theodore Roosevelt National Park; before landing in Cody, WY late that night. We knew we needed a day to rest, to catch up on where we had been, as well as on our laundry.

After passing up one laundry mat, we wound up at the second one on the map in a small strip mall by a grocery store. I wonder why we selected this one – maybe it was the bench out front inviting us to sit there with Emma while our clothes were going through the cycles. Whatever the reason, the Sebring women and their little dog, Dagger, decided to use this laundry mat because they saw us sitting on that very bench.

They were heading east from northern California near the coast on a journey home and, until that 18th day, we had been driving west, always west, on this journey into our new life. This was a momentary intersection of lives which allowed glimpses into each other’s worlds – of breaking through the initial uncertainty with small talk, of opening up to each other, sharing our stories, sharing our lives, and watching it unfold as the connections were formed while sorting and folding laundry to the sounds of the machines humming and buzzing.

It is a beautiful memory for me ~ this connection made with these three women who have lived such rich, full lives. Their story began in Spearfish, SD, where Diane Sebring, the mother, now 87-years-old, was born and lived until she was 19. She told of how she was unable to afford her second year of college and she knew she had to work. So, when a recruiter came from California looking for teachers and knowing that wages in California were higher than in South Dakota, she thought “that sounded like a good deal.”

She taught in a one room school house for two years in the small town of Hyampom, meaning “peaceful place.” She shared, “If I’d had money, I would have gone home the first month. You know it’s a long way from home…” But, she said, “I was lucky to board with some really neat people…it made a difference.” She met her husband, George, through these folks, and they had three daughters and raised them in that small town. She now has 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. George passed away eleven years ago.

Two of her daughters, Stacy and Sunnie, were traveling with her on this journey home. Stacy said that this was a special trip  – taking their mother home. She shared that Diane had “just kind of a longing to go home.” I think we all have this longing to find our way back home, whether it be a real home from the past or a place somewhere deep within our hearts. I understand this desire and if we are blessed we will have someone we love alongside us for the journey.

Having the support at home from her husband and daughter, she (Stacy) and Sunnie decided to drive their mother rather than let her fly alone and worry about all the connections. In addition to this special time together, the journey gave them the time to visit with family and friends all along the way.  We met them a week into their travels and they had already made a couple such stops. They had visited her 92-year-old brother, Jim, and his big clan of kids and grandkids in Boise, ID, for a couple of days. Their next destination had been in Bozeman, MT, where they spent time with one of Diane’s oldest friends whom she’d met when she was six years old. While there, they also reconnected with a dear friend whom they had not seen in 42 years. The next stop would be Spearfish with one of Diane’s sisters who still lives in the old family home in which she grew up.

Stacy said that she and Sunnie were having a great time with their mother. “She’s a wonderful, smart, funny woman, you know.” I felt the strong bond between the three women of this family; the love for their mother that brought them away from their everyday lives to do this for her; and Diane’s love and respect for her daughters.

The warmth of the love, caring and respect of these three women for each other as they made this special journey home is what remains with me all these months after that momentary crossing of paths in the laundry mat. I hope that one day we will all meet again.

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~ USA Through Our Eyes ~ Stories Told Through Words, Photographs, Videos and Sound

31 thoughts on “Memories from Our September 2016 Journey ~ The Sebrings”

  4. Well, you are welcome. It’s nice to hear about some of these places and the things you find. And you always need prayers no matter where you go or what you do in this great big world!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. I think it is very interesting as well as educative, you get to connect with nature and to learn from people that you meet along the way!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Thank you Naftali for you kind words of encouragement. Travel has been so enlightening for us in many ways. Hearing peoples stories and realizing we all have the same basic needs, wants and fears. Yes, connect with those friends of past and be that light.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. This post awakens the feeling to travel and explore the world, I can connect how the jorney was, One day I would wish to have time and explore the world, you made me to want to re-connect with my childhood friends, Wow! I enjoy reading this post!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Helen, thank you so much for your kind words about the projects and videos. We are always exploring and discovering those little stories that are golden nuggets in the community. You can do it and we’ll be watching.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Audrey, I want to drop a note telling you that I really enjoy watching all your videos and reading about your projects. I always feel like to do something for my community, but I haven’t found a good project yet (and so many personal projects keep me busy).

    Liked by 1 person

  14. That’s so cool! I’ve wondered what will happen as my generation ages and most of us have spent the majority of our lives not talking to others because it’s easier to look at our phones. We could very well miss out on experiences like yours.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. As always, you have a wonderful gift for capturing people’s stories. I loved the insight from 87-year-old Diane, that after she moved across country and started her teaching, she would have gone home if she’d had the money. Instead, she stayed, and that changed her life forever! Nice!

    Liked by 2 people

  20. Benches are special places! Love the special connection you forged with these ladies. It’s wonderful that a chance encounter in an assuming place wound up being such a special experience–lovely reminder to leave ourselves open to all that’s out there.

    Liked by 2 people

  23. Thank you for your kind words Helen. It now adds even more joy knowing it emotionally touched you from personal experience. I would love to hear what it was like for you coming here to stay and leaving your country.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. A lovely post, Audrey. (I wish I were there… ) This reminds me of my first year in U.S., sitting in my host family’s kitchen and listening to she and her neighbor chatting. I don’t know why, it gave me a warm feeling then and I feel the same reading your story.
    Have a wonderful day.

    Liked by 2 people

  29. You are very welcome! Encouraging people is my speciality! 🙂 I am not sure if it is because I had to encourage myself starting the age of 12, the age that I immigrated to the United States from Haiti, because I didn’t received that from my father and stepmother.
    Yes, I do agree with “Love is an awesome emotion” it gives you hope and encourages you, somehow, to live, you know!

    Liked by 1 person

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