You deserve a break today...
Do you remember when a 45 minute car ride seemed like an eternity?
When I was a young girl, Sundays followed a predictable pattern: breakfast, church, and then I’d crawl to the middle of the blue Impala’s back seat between my brother and sister for the ride to visit family or friends.
We’d drive past the world’s tallest grandfather clock in Kewaunee, Wisconsin on our way to my grandparent’s house and apple orchard. The towering tick-tock marked the halfway point of our trip. On the way there, I was always anxious to get my hands in the fur of farm cats. On the way home, I looked forward to snuggling under covers in my butter colored bedroom and listening to a story read by my big sister who shared the room.
Sometimes on country roads, my father overtook slower vehicles where the yellow dashed asphalt line indicated we were in a passing zone. Over many years of Sunday drives, I only recall red and blue flashing lights once. I wonder if my dad got a ticket…or talked his way out?
When we visited Cooperstown, we’d walk through the small garden plot my Aunt Judy and Uncle Russ allotted my parents on their country acreage. Have you ever tasted a warm sugar snap fresh from the vine? Cousin Lisa and I snatched them by the handful.
In Glenbulah, my cousin Karen and I spent afternoons playing with Barbies or swinging on a tire secured by Uncle Kenny to a tree limb thicker than an elephant’s leg. Aunt Shirley made the best cucumber salad I ever tasted. Fresh cucumbers, sour cream, vinegar, salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar…
On lucky summer Sundays we visited Bob, Gladys and their five kids in Green Bay. Talk about excitement! They lived within walking distance of 10 cent motorized rides at Bay Beach Amusement Park. My cousins and I were scrambled, tilted and whirled.
I loved Sundays.
I loved car rides where I stared out the window or napped with sunshine warm on my cheeks.
Have you heard rumblings about the day of rest making a comeback?
Just last Sunday, I read Sundays Are for Thinking by my friend Niklas Göke. The piece reminded me of my childhood Sunday adventures. Nobody had a smartphone. We shared laughter, dinner and time.
After reading Nik’s wisdom, I resolved to set my phone and computer aside for the day. I worked in my flower beds, visited my parents-in-law and took a four mile trail walk with my husband. The rewards were deep and valuable—connection with nature, loved ones, and my inner thoughts—movement for muscle and bone—rest for the mind.
Whatcha doing today?
Can you set aside work and scrolling? Spend time with loved ones, take a walk, lower your lids and let sunshine warm your face?
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