Up before the sun rises she puts on her best smile and the most comfortable shoes she owns. It will be a long drive today, but the destination is always happiness. Bouncing through the house collecting her things and thoughts she is eager to get started. Walking out the door can sometimes be the hardest part of the journey. Leaving the comfort and warmth of the familiar is scary and often weighs heavily on her chest. What if trouble ensues or tragedy crashes down and she is unable to return to safety, unable to find her way back. Pushing through the fears she makes that first giant step out into the chill of the early morning. A deep breath in with a slow release that hangs visibly in the air. The tapping of her shoes down the cement steps breaks the peaceful silence with a loud thunder. The dew collects on the toes of her shoes seeping into the canvas as she cuts through the grass on her way to the drive. Big Blue awaits patiently as she approaches, a large daunting gas guzzler on wheels that consumes every ounce of the narrow line of cement. The cold metal of the handle wiggles at her touch as she tries to straighten it to pull up. As the mechanisms engage and she is able to release it from its hold the heavy door whines open. Throwing her purse across the driver’s side to the passenger’s seat she lowers herself onto the frigid cold plastic, it moans under her weight. She pulls the door shut causing a loud clang reminiscent of a cell door slamming shut. A shiver runs through her as the key slides in, she whispers softly “We can do this Big Blue.” At the turn of her wrist Big Blue sputters almost as if he is saying “Brrrrrrr, it’s cold.” She whispers again, “Together we can face anything, work with me.” At that the engine rumbles to a low growl and Big Blue rhythmically vibrates waiting for instruction. She reaches for the gear shift behind the steering wheel and pulls it in and down, Big Blue quivers in recognition. The sound of crumbled cement under the tires competes with the roar of the engine as she guides Big Blue out of the drive. With another adjustment of the gear shift, Big Blue twitches as she proclaims “And we are off!”
At the cross road she steers Big Blue to the right, not another soul in sight. The sun has just awoke evoking a purple hue to the surroundings. The expanse of field on either side wafting the smell of hay and earth puts her at ease. She reaches for the radio, hoping for something upbeat. The anticipation of the day is physically manifesting within her, a mixture of excitement and anxiety. The wooden fence stretches for miles lining the narrow road leading the way. Today is all about what can been seen out the window. Drifting through the open country on a timeless journey. It starts with snapping her fingers and patting her leg. Then it grows into moving her shoulders in time with the music until finally she is accompanying the singer on the radio at unmentionable decibels.
The enjoyment of the drive and music takes control and before she knows it the sun is high in the sky. Inside Big Blue is heating up so she reaches for the handle and cranks until the driver window is fully concealed. The air whistles in catching her hair and swirling it around her face. Fresh, clean and wholesome with a slight cool touch, she breathes deeply cleansing the past week of drudgery. Cresting the hill on the right is an old farm. Peeling, white paint and warped boards drooping almost as if they were melting away from the skeleton of the house. It exudes years of use. The front porch sags to the center, presumably from the gathering of many family members sharing love and laughter over the years. She wonders how many children climbed the railing to sit and eat homemade ice cream or how many times had the steps been averted for a wild child jump off. The memories that surround must be happy and profound. Around the blind corner is a beautiful sight. The trees big and tall stretch their limbs and canopy over the road ahead. A tunnel of nature in vibrant colors of yellow and red. She is settling in now and nostalgia swells in her heart. She changes the radio to a mellower tune and hums along as her mind plays long lost memories of childhood, family and friends.
Up ahead on the left is an old Ford truck. Cracks of gray primer breakup the faded red paint. Rust on the wheel wells and bumper threaten the integrity. It is shapely, with large curves and round bulbous headlights and the bed is filled with rusty barrels. The black tires are deflated with an almost defeated expression. How many miles had it travelled? How many loads had it hauled? When did it stopped being cared for, who had it lost? She envisions an elderly gentlemen in dark blue jean overalls. How many times had he stood by the road reaching for the handle of the truck and waving at a passing motorist? Her mind drifts to thoughts of connections and loss. In our lives we move so quickly and so often we never take the time to see what we just passed; it is only a shrinking vision in the rearview.
Twilight stretches across the landscape as the sun begins to set. She cranks the handle to seal out the icy cool of the night that is creeping in. Big Blue’s headlights spread a cone of illumination ahead. The fog is rolling in settling on the windshield heavy and obstructive. She clicks on the wipers and yawns. Down the street she can make out the porch light beckoning her to come home. Returning Big Blue to the narrow path she thanks him for the much needed day of solitude and regeneration.