Holiday Writing

As we pulled out of our temporary driveway in Tennessee yesterday, the holidays officially began for us. Car loaded to the gills with people, luggage, gifts, the dog, we started our downward journey south. Not even a mile out of town, I had to swerve to miss a dead 8-point buck stretched across the lane on a curvy hill.

An argument ensued about whether or not to stop, go back, and drag the unfortunate beast out of the road. Normally that would be a "yes" to protect the other drivers. "We can just grab it by the horns and drag it off," my son explained a little too joyfully. Sounded suspect coming from a deer hunter. Had to wonder about his "intentions". I voted for "no" because of the location and the timing. There was no safe way to pull off the road near the deer. And we were on a schedule. Well, I was.

Glass and plastic were scattered all around the scene and the deer was lying at a bend in the road only enabling drivers to see the carcass once they were right up on him. Being a selfish mother, I didn't want my son to get hit! And I wasn't volunteering to get hit. So we drove on arguing about all the things I robbed my son of for not stopping and allowing him access to the huge deer. I knew there was more than safety on his mind!

It took awhile but after recovering from our healthy debate, I asked my navigator to work his young magic and find us a Chick-fil-a on his mappy thing on his phone. He proudly proclaimed that we were just 4 short miles from one. "Yayyy", I said amazed it happened so fast.

Next thing I knew, I'm following his directions turning this way, that way, then right, then left, another left. Then he promises "Oh just .7 miles more, Mom." Whoops that was just to the next turn. At this point, we're burrowing deeper into the heart of a small, unknown town.

I'm about to come out of my skin as this Chick-fil-a continues to elude us and I'm fussing at him next time to, "Look for one right off the exit. This is how you add time to a trip, son." We felt the results of that later.

Then he took the wheel and I became the navigator. That lasted a couple of hours as I recharged and wanted back into the driver's seat. I can't help it, I love to drive. The closer we got to our destination the more upset he became. "I hate it here, I'm never moving back," he pronounced repeatedly. Honestly, A deluge of hidden emotions flooded inside both of us.

We finally made it to our destination an hour past the scheduled arrival time. At least we were safe and still talking. We dumped our stuff, ate at one house, and started our visitations. I look forward to what will happen next as I wake up in a strange bed, in my old room, in my house, that someone else lives in. Weird. Safe travels as you begin to prepare for your holiday adventures :-)