We were already cutting it close time-wise. As our speed dropped from 70 to 17, we passed a sign for the next exit - 13 miles away. But we still had 99 miles to reach our destination.
I adjusted my GPS to "country roads, take me home" and we talked about rescheduling our trip for another day.
But as we reached the 13th mile, we found ourselves at the front of rubbernecker's row. Traffic was moving at a clip and the ETA re-calibrated. We'd still be cutting it close, but we could make it if we tried. So, we tried.
And I'm so glad we did.
~~~
Sometimes, when my heart is full, words are a tornado and all the raindrop details, a monsoon.
There's so, so much to tell you and, as the white rabbit checks his watch, never enough time at all.
But oh, this has been a season for keeping my tornadoes in jars, too.
My love for people rides tandem with perpetual perplexion.
What I mean is, some people make me want to be as quiet as a monk...forever.
Unhealed people are unsafe, and too often, unaware.
They need joy, too, they do... but it’s hard to watch them steal it from others.
Me: "I want to share my happiness with you - but you can't keep it. You need to find your own."
However, we seldom control the weather.
So whether you're here to dance or kick mud my way, look alive, it's fixin' to rain.
~ ~ ~
Pretty dramatic build-up to say "We went to karaoke", huh?
But it wasn't just any karaoke. It was my cousin's LiveStarKaraoke.
Here's what I wish I had adequate words to talk more about with you:
- Watching my cousin in his element
- Being a welcomed surprise
- Meeting my family's extended family of friends
- Going home with my own extended family of friends
- Community that forms instantaneously and exists on purpose - outside of rigid structures
- Unity & Support - even if you sing off-key
- Telling all the old stories to new generations
- Shared knowledge
- Cousin/Daughter Duets (even though did say she said it felt weird to sing a love song with her cousin)
- Laughter & Song
- Singing Along
- How, as we readied to leave, one of my new-found friends, shared late-night driving tips to stay awake. Pointing at my cousin, I replied: 'Our grandpaw taught us to grab something salty to eat when we stop, instead of something sweet."
- And how, in that moment, all the cross-country drives Grandma and Grandpaw used to make, just to be in our lives, winked to me their infinite answer to "How far will love drive?"
