The ride of a lifetime...

When I was a kid, my parents often times would load us all into the car and simply go for a ride.  We'd drive up along the coast, maybe stop to walk the beach or ride out in the country with the hope of spotting a deer or other form of wildlife.  Sometimes the ride would turn into an opportunity for a nap or perhaps we'd end up at the local ice cream stand for a treat.  Regardless of the reason, the chance to go on a ride on a lazy afternoon was generally a treat unto itself.  Well, as my parents have aged, the shoe now has fallen on the other foot, but the reasons for going remain the same.  It's a chance to share some quality time without the distractions of life.

On Friday this week, with the seemingly interminable rains hindering the outdoor activity, it was time for a ride.  I used the excuse of needing to do a few errands, but what I really wanted to do was spend some time with my Mom.  She has always loved to "joy" ride and is always at the ready when to comes to this sort of adventure.  So, without the use of our GPS device, we headed off for a ride.  Our only goal was to get from point A to point B and back again, no flight plan no maps, just our instincts and enough gas to get us there.  We followed the old carriage roads along some of New England's infinite stone walls and passed through several of those little villages you could imagine Currier and Ives would have depicted in their lithographs.  It was all so quiet, even with the rain pelting down on our windshield and the wipers vigorously doing their job.  However, it was all worth the effort because we both could reminisce about the good old days when she'd be driving my brothers and me out to The Mill or to the apple orchards for an afternoon of errands.  We talked about things that happened many years ago as if they had happened just yesterday.  It was lovely, she said, just like she had said a million times before; and it was.

We finally arrived at our first destination and quickly moved on to the next,  wasting little time "shopping" as we had many years before.  This time I was in charge, as Mom waited patiently in the car, unlike we had years ago.  Regardless, it was all good.

As we made our way back home, I thought about how life comes full circle.  Those many eons ago my mother took us over many of the same roads carrying out her business with all of us in tow.  Now it was my turn to return the favor, but really, who was doing whom the favor?.  Once again, she was the one who was nurturing my soul with her quips and her effervescent smile just sitting there enjoying the "ride".  Yes, she was up to her old tricks again, and thank God I have been along for the ride.  Mom, how would you like to stop for an ice cream on our way home?  This time it will be my treat!