Like much of America, we drive. Load everything and everyone in, car seats, toys, stuff – from here to there and back again. We’re going together. Inside a car is special; small, close, everyone is there. We may be hurtling along at deadly speeds, but we’re together and I am a safe driver.
Trees whistle by, the corn fields are beginning to be plowed under, it’s cool enough to drive with the windows down. And I look in the mirror to check on my kids. I twist the rear-view mirror, I see them behind me. I bring them where we’re going.
When I look forward, I often I don’t know where we’re headed. I look back and I see the rapid changes in the mirror beyond the road: their faces thinning out, moving from car seats to boosters, reading books instead of using chew toys, asking for music they like instead of the music I choose, wanting the window down to see and feel and smell the air outside.
And though I don’t know where we’ll end up, we’ll get there safely together.
That was beautiful. Just curious, are you a minivan family?
Hi Jonquil –
We’re not mini-van drivers, although we are fans of http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/
We have an older Volvo XC90 which we love.
My youngest turned 16 today! He is now a driver- I taught him the basics of driving (in a parking lot) after he passed his driver’s learner test. I still remember him in his car seat and today he drove. Makes me a bit sad but also happy for him!!
Braydon really is an excellent driver and clearly a poet too. Honestly. Even if it is his Mom saying so.
This is beautiful, and a wonderful memory to have in your virtual scrapbook/memorybook for yourselves as parents and your children.
– Kate