Joy in the Journey

"There is a joy in the journey.

There's a light we can love on the way.

There is a wonder and wildness to life.
And freedom for those who obey."

Michael Card

When I learned that my niece was getting married in Virginia the weekend before school started, my adventurous self awoke. I knew my boys and I would attend the wedding and stop by Wake Forest University on the way. But my wilder side wanted to add random fun to the mix like bungee jumping in the mountains; climbing in search of a view; or riding the highest roller coaster in the land.

I asked a few folks for ideas. I viewed web sites in hopes of finding an affordable, splashy hotel. I waited patiently for the moment of inspiration that would fuel my ambitions and bring our summer to a spectacular end.

But it never came.

When I pulled out of the driveway last week, I didn't even know what city we would stay in that night. Nathan read while Sam chilled to his Ipod. Three hours later, we arrived at the one destination I'd planned -- Camp Greystone, for a walk down memory lane.

Having spent two long summers there, we had lots to remember. After lunch and raucous camp songs, the boys visited their favorite hide out spot while I walked through the outdoor auditorium. On our way back to the car, Nathan and Sam threw their favorite frisbee and recalled the numerous times it was lost and found at camp.

With full hearts, we piled back in the car and headed to Winston Salem. Friends at camp had told me that Wake Forest was only three hours away, not the long journey I'd expected. Still hoping for real excitement, we traveled on.

Nathan drove and an hour later found a radio station with lots of songs I'd never heard. But Sam knew them. He'd learned them traveling to and from school on a bus. A mood hit, and he sort of sang. He crooned. He made noise with feeling. And I enjoyed a different glimpse into my teenager's world.

He sang till we got close to Winston-Salem. There, we found our hotel, ate tons of food at Ihop, and watched sit coms late into the night. Nothing fancy. Just us, in close quarters, living life.

And that's how it was till we got home. We saw some great views--out our car windows. We visited with lots of family. We had some great discussions at meal time. And enjoyed teenage banter via text messaging as we drove late into the night on our way home.

The joy was in the journey. Not in one fantastic moment of fun. It was in several small moments linked together, just us being us, laughing a lot while pondering the meaning of it all. I've been trying to grasp this for years. Trying to relax into the day to day rhythm of life. Not always reaching for the next big thing.

Maybe, just maybe, I'll do a little better this year.