It has become a new routine to take our dogs for a drive once the Braves game is over on Sunday afternoons – weather permitting.  The younger dog began begging to head out the door to the truck during the afternoon last week several times.  When I recalled the Braves had several afternoon games last week, I finally realized that she now associates afternoon games with rides in the truck.  So during those afternoon games, she begged to go for a ride. 

When we ask our dogs if they are ready to go for a ride, they get excited and bounce all around the living room. They load up quickly and settle into their chosen spots.  The younger, smaller dog, thinks she is the boss and she chooses to stand between the front seats with her front paws on the truck console. 

She wants to see straight out the front windshield.  The older, slightly larger dog refuses to push her sister out of the way and appears to be happy to just sit on the back seat of the truck.  Her smile when riding says it all! 

 

This week’s ride had me thinking of a few particular Sunday afternoon drives in my childhood.  I recall one particular ride with my mom, sisters, and grandparents to a small community 30 miles north of the farm.  We drove up after Sunday lunch to visit my Grandaddy’s aunt.  I also recall several Sunday drives about 20 miles east of the farm to visit my Granny’s oldest brother and niece.  They had a catfish pond that was the site of many fishing trips.  There were also a few Sunday afternoon drives about 20 miles west to visit my Granny’s oldest sister.  Drives to the south of the farm were occasionally taken in the old pick up truck with us “girls” allowed to sit in the bed of the truck.  The dirt roads of the rural farm areas meant we rode very slowly and enjoyed the breeze during hot summer afternoons.  

As I observed our two dogs’ chosen positions on their afternoon drives, I began to wonder if my sisters and I had our own chosen positions on our own  afternoon drives.  I honestly don’t recall them; but  I vaguely recall easily getting car sick, so I probably had a window seat.  And just as our Sunni enjoys watching where she is headed, I have always studied roadways and routes on trips.  Many times, I can recall exactly how to get somewhere the second time we go.  I miss those leisurely Sunday afternoon drives.  Life was so much simpler when I was unaware of all the “grown up” concerns of the world!  

When I was a child, I talked like a child; I thought like a child; I made plans like a child. When I became a man, I stopped those childish ways. 1 Corinthians 13:11