Saturday, May 03, 2008

Ding Dong...

So, it's Saturday. Who came to your door this morning? Perhaps a pair of Mormons? Maybe some Jehovah's Witnesses? Maybe a kind police officer asking if I was the owner of a 2001 silver Honda Accord that is currently in South Dakota? In case you were wondering, #3 was my morning scenario.

Jason is turkey hunting with his brother and his friends in the Black Hills. He is at a remote cabin with no cell phone coverage, a downed phone line due to 36 inches of snow that fell Thursday night, and no electricity. It does have a generator, so, no, he's not really roughing it...it is on a dirt road if that counts? The reason I know that 36 inches of snow fell Thursday night is because Jason called me Friday to tell me that they had dug out of the cabin to the road for 7 hours, got to town to fill up his friend's truck, and were heading back to the cabin.

The Officer asked if it was our car. I said yes, my husband and his friend drove it to meet his brother and their good friends to go turkey hunting for the weekend. He said a State Trooper found it just off the road. I asked if Jason was in the car. He said it was abandoned. I told him they had made it to the remote cabin before the storm got too bad and I had heard from him yesterday morning. Heart rate beginning to elevate a little, but assured in my heart he was just fine...

O: "Have you heard from him today?"

M: "No."

M: "I spoke with him yesterday, though. I'm sure he's fine." (FINE is a relative term...yes, he's alive, but when he gets home...NOT SO FREAKING FINE!)

O: "Is there a way that you can get in contact with him or is there an address at the cabin, perhaps a phone number?"

M: "Do you mind waiting right here, Officer, I am going to go call some of the other wives? I'm sure when they dug out yesterday they just pulled his car out to the road so they could actually leave to come home (to my loving arms and swift kick in the pants) tomorrow."

I go make a billion frantic calls. Not one wife is available. And, because I love my mother in law, one of my best friends, so dearly, I don't really want to call her for the address because, GEE, TOMORROW IS THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HER HUSBAND'S DEATH, STEVE, WHO WAS AN AVID HUNTER, HER TWO SONS ARE AT THAT SNOWED IN CABIN, AND SHE'S BEEN THROUGH THE LACK OF HUNTER'S COMMUNICATION FOR OVER 37 YEARS NOW...WHY DRAG HER INTO THIS EARLY MORNING EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER!? #$%^&*? But, of course, she's the only woman available to answer her phone, so, I try to ask casually, but her mom's heart starts beating, too. Then, she rocks the free world and gets on the horn to everyone and their dog and finds the address and phone number of where these boys, (yes, though, grown, they are boys), are staying.

O: "I'm sure it's as you have said. I will radio the State Patrol near Deadwood and give them this information."

M: "You should probably pray for Jason, too, since he's likely never going turkey hunting again."

O: "Will do, ma'am."

All is well. Apparently they are having the time of their lives. Really enjoying each other's company. I found this out through my mother-in-law who found out from her best friend who is the mom of one guy and the wife of another.

Jason, if you secretly have Internet at the cabin, please email me or drive to town and call your freaking wife, please, Sweetheart!

Believe me, he's not leaving town without me for a l o n g time...

17 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:35 PM

    I love that you life is such an adventure.

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  2. I am laughing so hard at this b/c this is TOTALLY my husband. I have to give him instructions before he leaves for something such as this that go something like this
    1. Call me as soon as you arrive
    2. Call me everyday, even if you think to yourself, "I just talked to her yesterday."
    3. If adverse weather conditions or nationally tragedies occur whilst your gone add three addt'l phone calls per day and come home one day early!:)
    Susan Simpson

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  3. Anonymous7:03 PM

    Heh, heh. I have a dear friend up the street, who is REALLY ready for the end of turkey hunting season. ;) Erika

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  4. oh, my my husband is a hunter - such an accurate story - I was feeling your pain! :)

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  5. my heart is racing... can't imagine what you and your MIL were going through!

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  6. Oh Adrienne! I hope you have heard from Jason or will hear from him very soon. I could totally see Erik being in a situation like this, even though he isn't a hunter. I'm sure your man is okay! I'll pray for him, and for you!

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  7. Anonymous9:22 AM

    I have thought of you often when I read her posts.
    http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

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  8. Anonymous12:47 PM

    MY heart got pumping SO hard when I read this, too! Sheesh. My husband goes fishing who knows where and is gone for hours and HOURS and when he is out of touch via cell phone for even a few hours I start freaking. So, I can only imagine! Oh, Adrienne...a police officer!? So glad they are okay...for now. I am sure Jason won't like the spanking he gets when he gets home:)

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  9. that would be far funnier if it weren't so accurate of most of us who have hunters in the family! it is so hard to let them forget it too, isn't it?

    here's hopping you don't have to eat wild turkey for the next month:0)

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  10. I am so sorry that you are going through all of this. Wow, its been 10 years already since Steve died? He was an awesome man and I will never forget him. WHen Craig and I first started dating he always made me feel so welcomed into the church.

    I hope by now you have heard something from Jason and hope he had fun while it lasted!

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  11. Anonymous11:54 AM

    I can COMPLETELY understand your frustration! AND you have every right to be worried and upset, you REALLY do. But, I must also confess that I like to "get away" when I leave home. Sometimes going for a couple days without talking. I do call upon arrival and prior to departure. Other than that, I may not have contact for... indefinitely. For me=I think it is part of "getting away". Of course an abandoned car in a blizzard ups the anxiety I'm sure only topped by the trooper at your door! :) I hope by now you have heard from him. In the meantime - BREATH. In through the nose, out through the mouth... :) I LOVE how clearly you are able to paint a picture. You are blessed with your ability to articulate, that is for sure! ;)

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  12. Tee-hee. That's a good one. Love the drama once in awhile! Hope you're getting a good tan!

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  13. Anonymous9:37 PM

    Ade,
    Just catching up on a few of these, my lovely, lovely friend. You made me laugh and cry....as usual.
    You're a wonder,
    Stacia

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  14. Adrienne,

    From a man's perspective, you may be eating turkey, but ol' brother Jason will be eating crow.

    Funny, isn't it, that Jesus chose to hang around with some fishermen? Fishermen are a lot like hunters, plus they lie about the size of their catch.

    There is a difference between isolation and loneliness. Jesus uses isolation to talk with us and draw us closer to Him; satan uses loneliness to oppress us and to try to pull us away from Jesus. How to change loneliness into isolation? PRAISE!

    Gratefully,

    Milt

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  15. geez, what a swift kick he deserves;0

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  16. Sorry, All:

    I perceive by Misi's reaction that my previous post came across all the wrong way. I am sorry, and I apologize. I did not intend to make light of justifiable fears or concerns for the safety and well-being of a loved one. My 40 years of marriage to a totally wonderful woman before her death two years ago has taught me the importance of give and take in a marriage - in any relationship, really. It has also taught me the difference between isolation and loneliness. So in one sense, Misi, I have already received my "swift kick". I continue to be taught, and pray that I may continue to be teachable. Adrienne & Jason, I continue to pray for you each and every day.

    Gratefully,

    Milt

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  17. oh! NO Milt, i was not referring to YOU getting a swift kick, it was Jason and a joke!!!!
    so so sorry you took it that way!!!!
    and i am sorry for the loss of your wife, God Bless You and Yours,
    Misi

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