The Adventure of a Lifetime
This time next week, I will be driving somewhere through Arizona, on my way to the Grand Canyon with my husband. For the past seven years he and I have talked and dreamt about a trip like this- one that would take us around the entire country and back. We will be going from Nashville out to L.A. (stopping at the Grand Canyon and Vegas), up the coast via Highway 101, to Seattle for a good friend’s wedding, back through Montana, South Dakota and then to Chicago/ St. Joe, MI for a family member’s wedding, and back home, camping out here and there along the way. We will see good friends and family that we rarely get to spend time with, and we will also get to spend a great deal of time together, which at times seems hard to come by with the daily busyness of life.
I’ve always loved road trips. You learn so much about yourself when it is just you and the road. You have time to remember, to appreciate, to think, to question, to listen, to laugh, to cry and to sing. Whenever I fly somewhere, I’m grateful to be there so quickly, but something just feels wrong. I feel like I cheated. I’d rather drive any day- it’s about the journey of getting somewhere that adds to the thrill. This time, Matt and I will embark on this journey together, and I can’t help but feel like it is symbolic of the new life that God is calling us into.
We are letting go. Letting go of our vain notions of security, stability, and self sufficiency. We want our entire lives to be an adventure in faith and risk. To me, this trip is a culmination of all we have learned the past few years, and a rite of passage into the next season. There is something about being on the road that changes you and shapes you, and I hope that when we return we have completely shaken off our trivial fears and mundane expectations. This adventure will quickly come to an end, but it will begin a whole new kind of adventure for us. I say bring it on!
Woohoo! Road trips are always the best! You guys are going to have a great time, and I’m sure it will launch you into a new season of life (if you know what I mean,
). See you in Seattle!
Thanks Lizza!!! Yes, you know exactly what “new season” means.
Love you girl! See you in the WA.
A rolling stone gathers no moss. The Gypsy life may lead to poverty and destitution. Settle down, work hard, save your money, play by the rules and stay out of trouble with the law. After a time, you can retire with social security money, sit on your front porch and take it easy. And that’s all they are to it. Take too many risks and you could miss out on a blissful life of mundane mediocrity. Better safe than sorry. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush….and so forth.
Mr. Lyon,
You are a funny one. Thank you for inspiring me to do the exact opposite of what you just advised.
Well!! You are a rebellious child, indeed, I say. You poor little kitten, you lost your mitten, and you shall have no pie.
Now, off with you!…to the hills of the West and the pretty orange sky. THERE’S GOLD IN THEM THAR HILLS!! Bring some back to your poor old Mama and Papa. And God be wi’ ye my fair lass.
Ha! Thanks Mr. Lyon, I will being back some gold, er maybe a souvenir.
Take care of my little pup! Love you!
Hi Hilary!
I’m another Hillary (2 ls:). I found your site through Allison’s and she and I are going to be roommates at She Speaks.
Hope you are having a wonderful trip and I’m enjoying your blog!
Just wanted to say hi!
Hillary
Thanks so much Hillary, it’s great to meet you! You and Allison are going to have a blast- she is wonderful. Thanks for reading my crazy musings!