Circle Driving

“What did you do this weekend?” I hear from my friend Joyce as I start my workout the other morning.

My mind goes blank. What did I do this weekend? I can’t remember. It’s only been a day. What is wrong with me?

I think for a few seconds and still – nothing.

My mind starts to wander (anything to avoid being present for the workout).

I think about a conversation I had with a dear friend last week when she told me her response to “What do you do?” is “Nothing much.” Of course, I laughed and said mine was, “I don’t even know.” Hilarious.

But seriously, how do I spend my time? I zone out and as I picture myself, it’s through a car window.

I’m driving.

Of course.

I’m in a car – driving.

That’s how I spend my time these days. I drive – in circles, in fact. Drop off, pick up, drop off, pick up, again and again.

So, what do you do? How do you spend your time?

I spend my days driving in circles.

I circle drive.

I am a circle driver.

I finally answer my friend’s question about the weekend, “Katy had a sleep over, Nick had a freshman event, we had an alumni game, Nick went to the movies, and I guess I drove around all weekend.”

Joyce smiles that special smile and says, “Oh, I remember those days.” She laughs and shakes her head with that twinkle in her eye.

As I look at her, I realize this is one of those, ‘Oh savor these moments’ times.

I continue my day and as I do, I flirt with the thought of really savoring my time in the car with the kids.

I think about how I actually miss driving Katy to school. In fact, just the other day, I told her we needed to carve out 10 or 15 minutes a day to catch up as we are missing that car time.

I think about the messages you can convey to your teenager as you are both looking out the car window. There is something about not having to make eye contact that allows for freer conversation.

I think about the nuggets of information you glean when your children have their friends in the car and don’t think you can hear what they are saying.

I remember Joyce’s face and think savor this. Take it all in. It’s fleeting. It will be gone in the blink of an eye.

That lasts for the rest of the day.

“Nick, get up. It’s time for school!”

“Nick, get up NOW!”

“Nick, do you have your ID, phone, backpack?”

“Nick, grab your breakfast, we’re going to be late.”

I look at the breakfast plate sitting on the dashboard as I squeal out of the driveway.

I look down at my reserve fuel light on the gas gage.

I then look over at Nick’s sullen face.

Yea, I think churlishly, savor this. Savor these moments.

As I drop Nick off at school with a “Have a good day, I love you.” I continue to complete that first circle of the day.

It’s actually quite pleasant. The rain has held off for the morning, the trees are starting to turn, and I have a few blessed peaceful moments to myself in the car.

I think, yes I can savor this. Perhaps not every drive, but overall. I can savor this.

So, what do you do? How do you spend your time?

Me? I circle drive.

I am a circle driver, and savor it when I can.