I went road tripping with my son, daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren (ages 2-9).
We drove from Tampa (FL) to Beaver Creek and Aspen (CO), and then to Austin (TX).
(Minus me, they had already driven TX to MO to TN to NC to FL.)
Eight in the car. No kid electronics whatsoever.
Each child had a small backpack with their choice of lovies, books, drawing items and tiny toys.
We rarely drove interstate highways, preferring to meander and eat at out-of-the-way places that only Yelp could uncover.
On the motoring side, we learned that Oklahoma tracks speed by plane and has very nice state troopers who (thankfully) sometime choose to give warning tickets.
But on the more important human side, we learned that families draw closer with conversation, that occasional thorny issues find solution in this conversational camaraderie, and at the end of many miles and meals together, we are more sturdy and matured than when we started.
God loves community. I guess he loves electronics. But I'm struck by how it is still possible to co-exist with one and not the other, at least for periods of time.
It is worth the planning to find a setting for family that weaves together meandering, eating, conversation and time minus electronics.
I don't want us to lose the art of camaraderie. Our sturdiest roots are made of it.
Kimes: Thanks for the memories and the privilege of joining you.
Yelp: You are quite the food guide. (Note: my son would only stop at your recommended places that included pictures of great-looking food.)
Comments are welcome at feedyourstrength@gmail.com.
