Lessons from the Road

I have a new job. Well, it's an old job with a new "client". I'm already the main taxi driver to and from the high school twice a day; now, I transport the hubby to and from work, too. With over 300,000 miles, his old truck finally fell apart piece by piece until it couldn't pass inspection & emissions at the end of April without a boatload of money. Its fate is unknown. For now, it's parked in the driveway until we either win the lottery or sell it to the junkman for parts. We just spent over a hundred dollars on my car for a new battery and headlight bulb - praying now that it sees us through all these extra miles on the road. On a typical weekday, I give my girl her first "wake-up call" at early AM and the hubs and I head off to RMF, me in my jammies. I get back home 15 minutes later and give the second warning to Miss J so we can be back on the road to school. Afternoon brings the process back again full circle. I should count my blessings that the commute times are staggered enough to make it work...so far.

Today, driving back from the school, I started thinking about different lessons I've learned on the road from the time I was a little girl to now. I learned kindness & compassion from my father, who seldom passed a car in trouble without pulling over to help, often in the worst kinds of weather. The rest of us would huddle in our station wagon, worrying for Dad's safety, but proud that he was such a help to those in need. I learned how frightening an accident can be, even one that's basically a "fender-bender", when my mom was hit broad-side by a car running a stop sign. We were on our way home from Burger King with dinner, and I never eat a Whopper without remembering that day long ago. I learned that there are some things you wish you had never seen from the driver's seat, like a motorcyclist (not wearing a helmet) losing control of his bike at 50mph or the mother who threw her babies & then herself from the upper floor of a downtown hotel. These images seem to be permanently imprinted on my brain, and I am always sad & full of sympathy for these unfortunate victims and their families. I learned that road trips, whether for a few hours or several days, are always better once you're in the car - I'm a stressed, grumpy, frazzled pre- and post-vacation person. Just get me in the car & I could care less if something was left behind or undone! I immediately start to relax and look for landmarks that bring me closer to my destination. I learned that cars run better when they're clean (thanks, Dad) and that regular oil changes bring peace of mind (thanks, hubby).

One cherished lesson came about 18 years ago. Once again it involved my taxi driver status. I was dropping my 9th grade daughter off at school after a particularly trying morning. There had been tears and grumbling, and it was a miracle she was now curbside, ready to go to class. I watched her gather her backpack and open the car door. I probably sighed a little too loudly as she headed for the junior high. I was newly-pregnant after almost 15 years and my emotions were shaky. As I watched my beautiful, strong-willed, stubborn but insecure daughter walk away, the thought came to my mind, "And you really want another one?" Just as quickly, a voice inside said, "Yes, because I love that one so very much." I cried all the way home.

The past three years have brought other lessons from the road - climbing the hill to the hospital or going from clinic to doctor's office, sometimes for simple (is there such a thing with cancer?) appointments or more complicated treatments or even that haunting trip to the ER when I was in such horrible pain & ended up in the ICU. When I'm with others, these trips can include laughter, tears, hope, faith in the doctors, trust in God, dialogue that helps unravel "medical-speak" & bring understanding. When I'm alone, it's a time to pray, listen to soothing music, remain optimistic & rehash options, or just simply drive in silence. Each time is a lesson, each time is an opportunity to count my blessings. And each time I get behind the wheel to take someone I love to work or school, it's another chance to be together, even if no words are spoken until, "Goodbye, have a nice day, I love you." More lessons to be learned...