MEMORIES, affirmations and Friends

A week ago I left the sanctuary of Assateague Island for the chaos of New Jersey. I had a lot of mixed feelings about going back to New Jersey. It was a good time in my life, but also a hard time. First Presbyterian Church in Hightstown where In served for 7 years was an amazing congregation, the main problem was that being situated in the middle of the state, and being a young single guy, it was very isolating. By the time I left I was spending a ton of money to go into the City just for some kind of social connection. So though I loved the church it reminded me of the painful loneliness I felt while there. 

That being said, it was great to go back.  I arrived on Thursday afternoon and started the stay by going to DeLorenzo’s Tomato Pie (pizza). One of the more amazing Pizza’s in the US and for a flat pizza I think it is the best. After that I settled in what was probably the most sketchy campsite to date. The place was rundown and the site I had literally had cigarette butts and beer bottle cap layered across the site, thankfully my rig is self contained. 

On Friday I went into Hightstown and did a good memory tour, visiting the Church, the Hightstown Diner, and a couple special former members.   It was great to see them and to see how things have progressed since I left. That Night I headed out to the rehearsal dinner for the wedding I did Saturday. Jesse and her family were special when I was in Hightstown so I was delighted when she asked me to officiate. It was delightful to see how amazing her and her sister and brother have matured and really become delightful adults and loving parents. 

Going to church on Sunday was an experience. It was great to reconnect with folks and even with a bit more hair, a few more pounds they recognized me and welcomed me home. It was also nice to be received so graciously by their pastor.  Sunday afternoon we had a late lunch with the old mission trip group. We spent a lot of great years going to Jamaica and Africa making our mark and helping folks along the way. 

On Monday I made my way to Lancaster with a detour to Hoboken to visit one of my best friends daughter who is in her final semester there. It was great to see her and reconnect! I must have had luck behind me because unlike the rest of my time in Jersey the traffic was smooth and pretty clear! Which allowed me to get to my overnight spot with plenty of time to do a deep clean of the van and a bunch of laundry. 

I arrived at the Rural city Brewery, my harvest host site at 5 and that began an evening that was truly amazing. Talk about hospitality and care, the staff went out of their way to welcome me and make sure I was comfortable,  It was trivia night and even one of the families that I sat by invited me to join them so I was not left out. It made for a lot of fun and I have to say they had amazing beer!

On Tuesday, I got to have lunch with my Admin from when I was in Hightstown and her husband. That was a special time as our hour lunch turned into two and a half as we remembered, laughed and shared, and to no ones surprise, she knew everything about everyone that was connected with the church even after being retired for over 10 years.

On Wednesday I made my way to Provincetown where I am writing this. I will post more on that next week!

​Love you all, Bryan