Date: Sun, 11 May 2014 13:58:39 -0400
From: “N.A. Booko”
Subject: Tales of Hyway 64: A new path . . .
I live on a section of old hyway 64- Built in 1921 and abandoned 1942. Portions of it are still intact, winding in and out of properties between Pittsboro and Siler City.
I use it as a driveway- Wooded on each side. I have paths going in all directions. For different reasons. Seldom Do I need a new path.
About three months ago, very early in the morning, I knew I had to make another path- It was not a path I had wanted or ever considered making. But it had to be done right then. There was no putting it off. I felt the pressure. I really felt I just physically couldn’t do it. But I clipped branches and kicked aside fallen limbs, tripping vines were cut as I didn’t have the strength to pull them. Nature resisting my every move.
The path was finished within an hour. Exhausted, I walked the new opening back. By then, it was no longer new to me, but another avenue to go on living.
Rain or sun, I walked the path everyday, for nearly two months- Thinking what I needed to think, saying to myself what needed to be said. It didn’t help. As the days faded into months, so did the number of trips on the path. The world changes, your thoughts change and your ability to cope changes.
The path has started to fill in again, weeds at the feet and fresh new green leaves and branches brush against my face. Not sure if it is sign of welcome or a mild threat for me to mend my ways.
I know in time the path will grow closed again. Barring me from the walk- The walk I so need, to keep me whole and sane, to blot out what I want blot out and to restore what I need to restore. I know too that most likely someday I won’t be able to ever clear the path again . . and must accept what nature is offering me . . .
N.A. Booko
(N.A. Booko lives in Chatham County- where no ipad, no ipod, no laptop, no google-glass, no apps, no wi-fi, or similar miracle devices can change the above situation.- In addition, I don’t think my rotary phone is working properly)