In Transit

Once again after a 16 hour day of outlet mall shopping and interstate traveling, I have arrived at my familiar doorstep in Orange Park, Florida. When the fresh wildly cool breeze greeted me out of the car, I was amazed at how quickly I forgot Florida’s relatively warm winters. This time my mom was able to help pack up my apartment and drive down with me. Her ingenious dexterity as a mom proved to be a life savor when I realize how much stuff I had to take home. By the time we hit the road, the car was a solid block of apartment matter.

I took the late night shift, the Lake City to Jacksonville no-man’s-land, armed with Oreos, granola bars, Rits Bits peanut butter cups, and an enormous cup of tea. Just to ward off any possible inkling of fatigue, I played the Newsies soundtrack. This musical has become my tradition when traveling to or from school.

My 500 mile commutes home mark the beginnings and endings each season of my life. For once I am forced to sit and think while I pass deteriorating billboards and small towns with water towers painted like peaches. Whether it is the monotony of the road or the exhilarating feeling of rushing forward at 80 mph, I forget all my screw ups and defeats, leaving them behind and rush headlong, optimistic into whatever future awaits me.

Road trips are tiring, boring, and long and I often become anxious for home hours before I arrive, but they are also a sort of metal detox. Don’t struggle to drown out the silence with loud excessive stimulation, but for once just be content in the transition.