A year ago, I made mention in a post on our vacation in Colorado about something I enjoy with my wonderful husband known as “windshield time.” I thought I would elaborate a bit more on this time spent side by side watching the landscape ebb and flow…
As a child, I traveled a lot. By the time I joined the family, my father was 52, my mother 36 and most of my siblings long since out of the house. I was afforded the luxury of a father who had mellowed considerably and a mother who saw vacations as educational opportunities. I tell people I was homeschooled despite the fact that I went to public school. Show and Tell for me wasn’t My Little Ponies and Barbie dolls, it was iron pyrite and germinated wheat. So, I traveled with my parents on business and pleasure under the premise that I was gaining knowledge and insight into things others my age knew little about.
While I gleaned many things from this time spent traveling, I also learned to enjoy being in the car. I had pencils and crayons, books and toys and my parents nearly undivided attention. I told endless jokes from my joke book to my parents who dutifully chuckled and begrudgingly conceded to “one more”. (I now pay the price for this by having my own van full of joksters!) I asked questions and played games and listened to everything from Classical to Country as the miles ticked by. I watched the landscape rise into mountains and melt into prairies. I saw sand and surf become redwoods and vineyards. All of God’s creation flowed past me in an ever-changing canvas of epic proportions.
So, is it no wonder that I enjoy taking road trips with my family? I live for the tenuous moments when everyone in the car strains their eyes toward the horizon to be the first one to see that mirage-like distant outline and yell, “MOUNTAINS!!!”
I lay my head against the headrest and watch for new buds on the wintry scarecrow trees.
Later, I watch those same trees, with their lush green foliage, for signs of autumn’s paintbrush.
We search the fenceposts for hawks and the fields for livestock.
We imagine a cabin of our very own nestled amongst the most serene views.
From our vantage point, life seems simple.
It is because of this simplicity that the marital conversations of our road trips take on a different tone. Some of our deepest conversations have occurred as I lean across the arm rest to hold my husband’s free hand and stare at the right side of his head. There are no cell phones or computers, there is no next thing to do. It is just the two of us (give or take 5 children) and the windshield.
We are old friends who never run out of topics of conversation. Hour upon hour we move easily from theology to hunting to my latest writing project to music. We laugh, we cry, we sing, we laugh some more.
Sometimes I wonder what my children see from their seats behind us.
I remember seeing my parents holding hands and being awestruck. I remember going to sleep to them bickering over who got us lost and waking up to us asking for directions. I remember my dad wearing his beloved jumpsuit because it was the most comfortable thing to drive in. I remember rolling into the garage late at night and pretending to be asleep so one of my parents would scoop me up and carry me to bed. I remember laying on the floorboard and listening to the highway just inches below me.
Perhaps my children will remember listening to radio shows like Jonathan Park and Adventures in Odyssey. Maybe they will laugh someday about how no one had any room and how everyone coveted the bucket seat next to the baby. But what I really pray they remember with fondness is the picture of their parents, holding hands, smiling and laughing and loving their time together soakin’ up that windshield time.
Lilyofthevalley - Tanya says
Wonderful post! Thanks for sharing!
Linda says
Amy, this was a beautiful picture of times past and times present. Thank you for sharing your special memories.
You are a very descriptive writer. I could almost see the budding trees and the progress from spring to autumn.
I enjoy my times in the car with my husband on road trips. We talk about everything from A to Z, and I love it. I always say I have a captive audience! ((smile))
I too stare at the right side of his head, and I hold his free hand too,…and when he gets tired I always make him talk to me, or sing, so that I know he is awake. (He has fallen asleep at the wheel before).
I never thought of calling it “windshield time”,…but that is what it is! ha! I even take pictures straight through the windshield!
God’s Blessings!
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
Aspiemom says
Oh, this was just wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing this memory.
Holly says
“But what I really pray they remember with fondness is the picture of their parents, holding hands, smiling and laughing and loving their time together soakin’ up that windshield time.”
I love it.
Kathryn says
What lovely memories! Your family was (& currently is) so loving!
My memories of family trips as a child are not pleasant.
However, my husband & i usually spend 4 hours a week in the car together, commuting & communing! I love it. We also talk “Of shoes–and ships–and sealing-wax–
Of cabbages–and kings–“
It is time precious to me. 🙂
Amy @ Raising Arrows says
middle of the night nursing here…
First of all, “cabbages and kings”…ahhhhh, made me smile. 🙂
And to answer Kristy, I’ve written for The Old Schoolhouse magazine (and hope to do more of that), I’ve had poetry published in several small publications, and I’ve done some writing projects here and there for local NPR and a few websites (mostly volunteer work). Writing has always been my outlet and something I enjoy immensely!
Thanks all for such kind comments!
~Amy
Kristy says
What a beautiful post. My childhood was so much different – to the bad (and we never traveled anywhere with my parents) – but I do remember seeing my grandparents like that. My grandmother would always say to my beloved “Paw-Paw”, “Honey, be careful now, we have precious packages on board.” I remember that she always had her arm reached out to his seat.
I’m curious – what writing projects do you do? You write beautifully, so it doesn’t surprise me.
Denise says
Such wonderful memories.
Debbie says
Oh my Amy, you have a gift for writing! This was an amazing post; I loved it. What wonderful memories you have from childhood. And I love how you want your children to remember you and your husband. I know I always smiled as a child when I saw my parents holding hands and being kind to one another. I think it gives children a bit more security.
Lynnette Kraft says
Yeah, I know what you mean Amy. Kyle and I … and now the older kids and I… have talked about everything under the sun while in the car. It’s just such a great time and place to talk.
It’s funny, but we probably know the right side of our husband’s face better than the left. hee hee (and I’ve discovered just recently that each side is different! HA!)
Thanks for sharing this fun post – it was written with beauty and charm.
Verna says
Thank you for sharing, fabulous memories.