Serendipity

So yesterday Vix and I headed out to the upscale neighborhood where I've seen what looks like a national park pull off and parking area for a trail.  I've been past this trail head and a few like it over the years thinking, "I really need to stop and check this out some time." Well, yesterday I decided to finally check one of them out.

We pulled up to the small parking area and pulled into one of the few shady spots left.  There were only two other cars parked there... that's how small. (I really should invest in a good digital camera.)  Anyway.... as we pulled in I noticed a man standing at one of the entrances and, not knowing if he was a dog friendly person and wanting to respect his privacy, I headed Vixen toward the left entrance opposite him. 

We circled around and ended up at this gentleman who, apparently, hadn't moved.  I commented on the heat and how beautiful the trail is.  He said he'd been coming here at least once a week for 20 years.  We chit-chatted for a bit and I commented on wishing the trail was longer.  He told me about one of the bridges being out and offered to give me a tour.

I, of course, took him up on his offer.  We headed out to the main road and entered an unmarked trailhead area where we entered another entrance to the trail that was truly beautiful and remarkable with all the cypress trees and the creek with fast moving water. 

As we walked my new friend treated me to stories about his aneurysm that was supposed to have killed him.  His wife had always loved one song and called it their song till this incident.  The doctors had told her that he was going to die but he didn't, so, several days later they performed surgery and he recovered but lost his short term memory.  During the recovery he suffered memory loss and didn't even know his kids, but not once did he forget his wife.  She changed their song after that to "Unforgettable".

I'm not doing justice to the story.  It was so touching that I had tears welling up in my eyes as he told it.

Mr. Peak entertained me for the whole hour with stories of how they met and his decision to leave the Air Force so that he could be with his family.  How he completed pharmacy school on the Dean's list all the while supporting his wife and their three kids - one of whom is mentally disabled. 

It was a serendipitous day. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery, his patience with stopping to allow Vixen to play in the water, and, mostly hearing of how very much in love he is with his wife and family. She died eight years ago. :( 

Before we parted he pulled out of his shirt a little notebook that he explained was his "short term memory" and apologized ahead of time for not recognizing me next time we met. I'm horrible with names and will probably not remember Bill Peak's name, but I will certainly remember him and the sweet time I had hiking the trail and listening to his memories.