Operation Tremont in April 2009

Well we made it. The trip back to Illinois was not the same as any other trip “home” I have encountered. Isabella and I went out there on our own teamwork. The flight out was a bit more than I expected. I mean, of course, that the “transition times” with 2 large checked suitcases, a rental car shuttle, a delay at the gate, and over-priced airport food was enough for the expected hypertensive response.

My list of expectations from the trip was primarily based on food. Being somewhat of an athlete, most of my life expectations are surrounded by culinary requests. Food consumption is a hobby. My list included Gloria Jean’s Coffee, check; Venison “lion,” check; Kitchen Cooked potato chips, check (although I didn’t bring any home with me); Monical’s pizza, check (a total disappointment – what was the big deal when I was a kid?); La Gondola, no check there….time became critical….I had to make decisions; Avanti’s in East Peoria, check (and it just gets better, I might add); Steak –n-Shake, check (seriously the best Steakburger and Chilli I have had in my entire life). My list ends there, but Morton Dairy Queen was a last minute addition and I left unfulfilled. I realized during my stay that if I wanted a Starbucks, I had to travel to Pekin, which is separated by cornfields from Tremont…not on every corner like it is in The Valley. The Bonnie’s Café experience with my dad (twice), and two visits with Bill Hopkins made the trip complete. My only real indulgences were a trip to see Hannah Montana in the theater, and a new pair of sweatpants that read “Tremont” down the right leg.

My marathon aspirations were left in Illinois. I was intent on completing #8 in Champaign. The simple excuse of “my heart was not in it, therefore I just didn’t train,” was enough to keep me at home on Friday night and Saturday morning. Breaking the news to Mike Herrin was not the most enjoyable experience, but he understood, and he was nice enough to bring my shirt by my dad’s house….thanks again, Mike. I am setting my goal for Bear Lake in June…look out Dave Bell, I am coming to get you. I am down 10 pounds from a year ago, and motivated to train. Amelie Jane was born on Monday morning, and for a set of sad family circumstances, I sat home Monday night, was not impeccable with my word, and didn’t make it to Methodist to see the Amy’s baby. I was reminded Tremont is a small town when the Tremont Saving’s Bank marquee read “She’s here – Amelie Jane.”

Tuesday morning came and Isabella and I set out for St. Louis already behind schedule. Too much coffee, and not enough time, set in motion a series of events that were what I like to call “The Stress Puzzle.” The rental car shuttle in St. Louis was just not what it is in Denver, and to add insult to injury, I lost my contract. There was also the issue with the $25 coupon, which was too much for the lady at the counter to handle….again with a delay. Thankfully, checking two bags and the dash through security were uneventful. Among all of these pieces which added to the puzzle, my beautiful daughter held her Blankie, sucked her thumb, and her biggest request was “are we there yet?” I could handle that. She is such an easy child and loves her mama….I cannot complain. She pulled her little lavender suitcase behind her through Lambert, enjoyed the “high five” in security by the TSA employee, ate cheese pizza at CPK, and enjoyed her very first Sprite in her life. She sat contently on the journey airborne circling words in a Disney word search.

One thing I learned from all my experiences in the last 5 days is that you can never go home again, and even visiting the past can be a bit painful. I have been away from the cornfields and the flat terrain of the Midwest too long to even begin to appreciate the Midwest in a manner I used to. My house in Draper is home now and that is where most of my memories are stored.

My trip to Home

Tuesday morning I will leave Tremont and my family. I have done a lot of thinking (not always a good thing) during this trip home. In high school I thought Tremont, IL was the edge of the Earth. My perspective changed when I moved to Salt Lake City in 1998 after graduating from ISU. Even during college, I travelled to and from my house in the middle of the cornfields, and didn’t ever enjoy college in the typical fashion.

I drove around my hometown this afternoon with my Nikon D40. I drove slowly, stopped in the middle of 4-way stops, and took pictures. I reminisced and my head swarmed with memories. As I mentioned, I thought Tremont was the edge of the Earth and it was really only the beginning. On my photographic tour this morning, I snapped the picture of where my dad ate breakfast in the same small-town greasy spoon every morning for almost 30 years. My parents picked up packages of fresh ground beef from the local grocery store from the time prior to when I can remember. I actually stood in the middle of Main Street this morning to take the perfect picture of Main Street for the scrapbook. The fire station I passed is the same fire station where my dad was a volunteer during my childhood. The building where my dad worked for almost 30 years still stands and operates as it always has. The public park has not changed much, with the exception of a swimming pool remodel. The town has grown on the South side, but somehow the population remains at 2100. I drove by my grade school, and while the building has been remodeled, it is still the same school where I spent grades 1 through 5 of my education. Somehow the streets are narrower. Somehow the houses look smaller and the yards are greener and the flowers - prettier. Home never looks the same after a perspective changes.

My little brother

This visit back to my hometown this past week has been an opportunity to get to know my brother. As kids, we experienced childhood through very different perspectives and had our own “lenses” that we used to view our world. He was “the kid” I was not very nice to. That is how I remembered it. I vented silent rage from my head at him and all he wanted to do is have a relationship with his big sister. I was not the best big sister to my little brother. I was sad a lot and he was cracking jokes. I was the kid with my nose in the books and he was bribing the teacher to cut detention. I was the pleaser who wanted medical school so bad I missed most of my early twenties due to organic chemistry, and he was the student asking “Why should I?”

I saw Bill Friday afternoon and saw him for the man that he is. He is a loving man, a fantastic father, a wonderful husband and a funny little brother. I do not like to live my life looking back at regrets, but for a good portion of today, I wished I would have sat next to my brother in a class in high school and soaked up his sense of humor and his compassion for others. I had the pleasure of sitting with him for most of the day today and never stopped laughing. I never stopped smiling when I was in his presence. He is a great “little brother,” and finally as adults, we realize that we are way more alike than either of us ever realized.

My Very Tired Sleeping Daughter

We flew into St. Louis very late Thursday night. Isabella was so impressed I could pick up the phone, make one simple phone call from our hotel room at the Marriott and have dinner (room service) brought to our door. There we sat...eating grilled cheese and tomato bisque off of fine china. We began our voyage the following morning to Tremont. I like to refer to it as "the sticks."

Yesterday was filled with Mass Hysteria. 13 people - the children out-numbering the adults dominated our day yesterday. I sat in the middle of the quiet bedroom in my dad's house last night and soaked up the silence.

The dawn came this morning and Isabella was awake for it. We experienced Avanti's once again, followed by the Hannah Montana movie this afternoon. My trip to Peoria was capped off with the largest cup of coffee (chocolate raspberry truffle...mmm..), and I enjoyed every drop - I mean, come-on, you cannot get coffee like that back home. I write all this tonight because about 5:30 this evening, Isabella proceeded with Operation Meltdown. She walked around our tiny bedroom crying for no apparent reason. Large tears ran down her face and I knew without a doubt....she was finally tired. Now she sleeps. She sleeps now and I can hear her slumber. This quiet sleep began this evening and she will wake in the morning with a smile on her face and all the tears will be gone. The love I have for her continues to grow beyond measure, and I can snuggle her now and smell her hair and know the memories we are making will stay with us forever. Sometimes "coming home" is best experienced through the eyes of a child.