Road Trip

I haven't seen my darling grand daughters in a whole year. I made a special trip before I started the last round of chemo and radiation because I had no idea when I would feel up to traveling again. I had meant to go at Christmas, but couldn't swing Dad's funeral and a long trip, so I waited. But now, at long last, the stars have aligned properly and I am taking the holiday weekend to go see my sweeties.

Drew and Kiel and I are renting a car to drive the 12 hours south, and since we don't agree on music, we always listen to a book on CD. I scour the Rochester area public library holdings to see what might hold our interest for 24 hours of in-car driving. I check out a number of items to test them out, but I know after a short listen that it will not have universal appeal, and I am determined NOT to repeat last year's fiasco of listening to the Boneman's Daughter. Yuck.

I cast about on the Christian booksellers website and in various bookstores, but I do not find anything that seems to work. Finally, I visit the little Gates library which is closest to my house and peruse the children's audio books (who knew!) to see if there are any available Odyssey books. Those are interesting and acceptable, even if a bit childish. But all the online records that list holdings for this set indicate that they are checked out and likely to be stay that way for a long time.

I discover in the youth section a series of books by that same author who wrote last year's disgusting tale, Ted Dekker. I pass by, hoping for something by someone a bit less grotesque. Still, I keep coming back to the set. I tilt the first volume off the shelf and read the blurb. Interesting story. Maybe he is not so graphic for a youth appropriate resource. Well, both boys really liked last year's book. I suppose I will just have to endure more grit.

We get a late start, trying to pull everything together. Finally we are on the way, Sugar and all - her first long road trip. Finally we are beyond the borders of Rochester, heading south on 390. I pop the first CD in, wincing. Immediately we are transported to a land and a time of enchantment and conflict, but not yukky grossness. It turns out to be an engaging story that keeps us riveted through the next 5 states right up to the very doorstep of DJ's house.

I sigh in relief. Good choice! Perhaps the trip back will go as fast.