When I
first arrived in Alabama after my mental breakdown, I left the big
city of Orlando, Florida to go live on a catfish farm in Axis,
Alabama.
My
friends were far away, I was not able to finish college, my chances
of a career in the fashion industry had ended. Would I ever see my
Orlando friends again? My life as I knew it was gone. Washed away by
a mental illness that I knew little about. I was basically stuck on a
catfish farm. I could not see a future for me farther than the next
day.
At the
catfish farm I met Mac and Faye. They were a retired, older couple.
Mac liked to take morning walks around the catfish ponds. I took a
liking to them right off. They befriended me and treated me like
family. Sometimes I would go for walks with Mac. I spent most of my
weekends with them. On Saturdays I would come over in the afternoon.
We usually we hangout and watch TV. Sometimes they would take me to
do errands with them. Sundays was church day. We would go to Sunday
School and attend service. We liked going to fast food places for
lunch.
Lately
Mac and Faye have been in my thoughts so a friend of mine went with
me to visit them about a month ago. It was close to an hours drive
from me. I did not realize how far out in the country I had lived.
The drive was nice. I was slightly worried that I would not remember
how to get there but the memories came flooding back. I had a quiet
time reflecting on those days and where I am now. We finally turned
down the last country road. I was excited to see places where I used
to live. The place where I just started my recovery. I was sad to see
the the catfish ponds were now fenced off. As we got closer there was
Mac and Faye's house. Once we parked I started to wonder if they were
home. We undid the gate and walked onto the porch, knocked on the
door but no answer. They were not home. I felt a bit disappointed. We
sat on their swing I used to sit on years ago and waited for a few
minutes. I got tired of waiting so I left a note on the door with my
number on it.
My
friend and I were hungry so we decided to stop and eat near the house
in case Mac and would be home soon. We took off to Taco Bell. The guy
that took my order said I was very pretty so that made my day! Just
as we were finishing our tacos Mac gave me a call! He said he just
got home a bit ago. My friend and I hopped in the car and I was happy
that I would be seeing my old friends again! Excited is the best word
to describe how I was feeling as we retraced our journey. I could
hardly wait to see this elderly couple who had loved me and helped me
in my recovery!
As we
got out of the car, Mac came to greet us. He looked exactly as I had
remembered him. Faye looked thinner and she admitted that she did
have some health problems. Maggie came out barking and excited. I saw
that they had a small new dog. They told me that their old dog Penny
had passed away. I was kind of sad about it but was glad that she was
no longer suffering.
We all
went inside the house. I thought it had pretty much looked the same.
There were so many memories! We sat in the kitchen and had some
drinks. At first Mac gave me some grapefruit juice. I took a sip and
did not like it! My friend had some sweet tea so luckily we exchanged
drinks. They asked what I had been doing and how my family was. I
told them about all the exciting things happening and my life! Then
we reminisced about the days when my family and I used to live there.
It was
getting near four o clock and my friend and I decided to head back
home before the traffic hour started. We try to avoid rush hour if
possible! It was wonderful seeing my old friends again. I now have
more fond memories of these two dear people who loved me when I
needed it most. My life back at the catfish farm would have been
incredibly lonely without Mac and Faye. I will make sure to visit
them at least a few times a year and keep in touch by phone!
