'Enjoy The Ride....Insights from the Front Seat of a Mini-Van'
by Jeannie T.

'Enjoy The Ride....Insights from the Front Seat of a Mini-Van' by Jeannie

I slid into the front seat of the car and turned to do a once over to check to make sure everyone was in their car seats. I noticed a wayward juicebox and jumped out of the van to retrieve it. Transforming back to the days of clean houses and pristine car interiors, I fished the box out from under the seat to throw it in the trash.
"NOOOOO MOM" came the scream from the two year old in the car seat.
"JU BOOOx My". I really didn't feel like arguing. We were late AGAIN! I handed her the box and patiently waited while she tried to figure out which hand she could utilize to hold something else. After all, she had a brand new cup of water in one hand and her bunny in the other. As I sat there sweating while waiting on her to decide, she gently laid the bunny down and fiercely ripped the juice box from my hand. As she was trying to determine what to do with all her treasures, I slowly backed out of the van. My four year old yelling at me to move out of the way of the movie and the two year old balancing both beverages on the edges of her car seat, I mentally noted that I will have to stop on the road to retrieve the fallen beverages or clean up the spilled liquid. Just another day, right?
I glanced at the 8 mth. old and verified that she was being her usual wonderful self by quietly observing the situation for future reference. Mentally deciding the best way for attention and the worst way for getting it. I could see the wheels turning in her small little infant head. She flashed an award winning smile and earned a proud mommy kiss. I closed the door. Whew! All buckled in and confined.
As I slid into the front seat, I mentally congratulated myself for my patience and lack of frustration while waiting on my daughter to decide she wanted to be a big girl and hold all of her beverages. I had maintained and had not gotten too rushed trying to get her to comply with my fevered push to get out of the driveway. So, I clicked my seat belt and began the process of trying to figure out what I had forgotten. Locked the door....check. Put the laundry in....check. Turned on the dishwasher....check.
As I put the car into reverse, I sensed what was coming. Backing out of the driveway was code for all the kiddies to begin their ritual of yelling out their long list of goodbyes.
"Goodbye Trees"....."Goodbye House"...."Goodbye Puppy"......"Goodbye Bees". This is our routine since we moved. It helps with transition, or so I heard.
Pulling down the long gravel driveway, I continued my mental checklist.
Swimsuit for swim class....check. Birthday present to mail for sister in laws 40th birthday....check. Fed and watered the dog...check.
I pull up to the road and looked both ways while still thinking about all I should have done but didn't have time. I glance back in the mirror and all was quiet. I smile knowing I have a full cup of coffee and a few minutes of quiet time. I hear the quiet conversation of Donkey and Shrek on the video. They are engrossed and content.
I pull onto the highway and look at the digital display on the dashboard. I should already be there. Late again. With 3 kids, an early morning appointment just isn't realistic. Out of bed, breakfast, spilled breakfast, clothing change, in the car and forgotten items. Back in the house for bunny, binky, diapers and misplaced Capt. Jack Sparrow figure. You know the routine. I guess I can make up something great. An injured sparrow on the road....stopped to watch an amazing water rescue....high speed car chase on the highway. Probably not. Oh well!
I am whizzing down the road. The mini-van is flying like never before. The white lines are a blur as we speed past them. My air conditioner is set at 70 and we are calm, cool and collected. I have my coffee and all is right. I love this moment.
And then, it happened. Out of the blue the bubble inside the car explodes!
A loud and energetic burst of laughter erupts from the back seat. A deep genuine laugh that no child can fake. I look into the mirror and realize that my two year old is playing Peek-A-Boo with my 8 mth old. My four year old gets in on the action and within seconds, the laughter is out of control....and very contagious. I start laughing at their laughter and gently pull the car to a side road so I can watch them playing. They are hiding behind a few blankets and coming up at the same time while yelling Peek-A-Boo. They are laughing so hard at each other and it is so amazing to watch. I absolutely love it!
After a few minutes, I look at the clock and realize that tomorrow, no one will remember if we were late. No one will realize if their package was 2 or 3 days early. No one will realize the misplaced juice box. Will I even remember? Probably not. But I will ALWAYS remember sitting on the side of the road on a beautiful sunny day while watching and listening to my childrens laughter explode to contagious proportion. My destination? I don't really remember, all I remember is the ride and how much I enjoyed it.

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