My husband and I have a ritual we follow whenever we set out on a road trip. As we’re pulling out of the driveway – or hotel parking lot – he calls out, “Wagons…” and I respond, “Ho!” We note the time, and for the rest of the day we have a friendly competition as we each try to be the first to announce, “We’ve been on the road an hour.” Or three. Or nine. After the first few hours, it’s easy to lose track. Even more so when we’re traveling through different time zones.

No matter where we are going – or returning from – some parts of the journey seem to go faster than others. The first hour usually flies by, while others go by at a snail’s pace, especially in the early afternoon. Being stuck in rush hour or construction traffic, or driving during a heavy rainfall or snowstorm, makes the time go more slowly, even though it’s the distance, rather than the time, that is dragging.

Isn’t it interesting how something as constant and fixed as time can actually feel so fluid?

Life is like that, too. Or maybe it just seems that way to me now as I’m reflecting on the 70 years I’ve been on this planet. Or because we’ve recently returned from a family visit. I can remember when my own kids were small, and people who were older and wiser than me were quick to point out, “Enjoy them now, because they grow up fast.” Of course, when I was in the midst of diapers and bottles and colic and sleep deprivation, time passed very slowly, and it felt as though that period of time was never going to end.

So how did it come to be that both my kids are now in their 30s? When did that happen, and how did it happen so quickly?

Now my grandchildren, too, are growing up fast. The time we spend with them goes by too quickly, while the time between visits goes much too slowly. And although it’s not likely I’ll still be around when they reach their 30s, I hope they’ll attend my 100^th birthday party if I am.

Either way, I have to remember that looking back at my life makes for a lovely stroll down Memory Lane, but I still want to look forward – to whatever journeys, adventures, and road trips are yet to come. I hope there are many.

Wagons… ho!

July 24, 2023
©Betty Liedtke, 2023

I welcome your comments, but please be aware that all comments will be moderated and approved before appearing on this blog. This is to protect all of us from unwanted spam.