Mind Travel
Prologue
As I thought about a place that has given my life meaning, I kept going back to my mind. My thoughts are ever present in my mind, and that is where I find myself spending most of my time. I continually reflect on who I am. I often think of my past, the good and bad choices I have made and how those choices have impacted the person I am today. I contemplate my present, my daily encounters and wonder how each day is affecting my being. And, ultimately, I am ever mindful of my future. I wonder what my future holds for me and those I have loved and encountered in life. Since my life is very full, I usually find myself reflecting while laying in bed at night trying to fall asleep, or when the rare opportunity arises, driving alone in my car. Recently, I was driving my son to the park. After dropping him off, I started to take some pictures of the sky. I was amazed at its beauty. I rarely have time to notice my surroundings, yet this Twitterive assignment has forced me to stop and, well, ‘smell the roses’ as the saying goes.
As I continued on my drive home, I attentively appreciated the view. I took note of the traffic, the cars, and the people inside those cars, who were all deep in their own thoughts. As I sat at a red light, I looked through my rearview mirror to see the cars and road behind me. At that moment, I had an Epiphany or my version of one at least. What if life was like driving? What if you know the road behind you, could see the road that lie ahead of you, and make your life choices? And thus, my Twitterive began to unfold within my mind.
In this Twitterive, I am using my mind, my thoughts on my life and equating them to driving…Travelling Through Life…inspired by my faith, one mile marker at a time. Come along and take the ride with me…I hope you enjoy my view.
In this Twitterive, I am using my mind, my thoughts on my life and equating them to driving…Travelling Through Life…inspired by my faith, one mile marker at a time. Come along and take the ride with me…I hope you enjoy my view.
Mile Marker One
Growing up in South Philly has had a great impact on who I am today. As a child, we never drove anywhere. When my brother, sisters, and I pleaded with our parents to drive us to our grandmom’s house, or the store, or a friend’s house, the answer was always the same:
“There is no need to drive when you can walk…it isn’t that far.”
Or if it was far, “We will lose our parking spot.”
Needless to say, as a child I was extremely frustrated. Our dark green, side paneled station wagon sat in front of our house like a monument. It was an untouchable visual. The sad part is to my siblings and I, the car was ugly. We made fun of the station wagon whenever the opportunity presented itself. Yet knowing the hideous green machine could get us to our destination faster made our thoughts about driving around in the embarrassing car disappear.
When I was five years old, I needed my tonsils out. The hospital, Saint Agnes, was six blocks away. Not really far, but definitely worthy of a car ride. In my mind, I was going off to have surgery. I was going to have to stay for a few days. Since I was the middle child of five, I always felt a little deprived. Needing surgery, well that was an attention getter for me. To have bragging rights that my dad and mom would actually drive me to the hospital made my dreaded surgery seem like a day in the park.
Well, I was in for a rude awakening. Obviously, even surgery to remove an organ from my body did not warrant a ride in that ugly, green paneled station wagon. Walk. That’s what we did. Walk. With my mom holding my right hand and my dad holding my left, we walked the six blocks to the hospital. They would lift me up to hop the curbs thinking it would make the walk seem fun. I remember feeling so loved. Yet part of me has never gotten over the fact that they did not drive me to the hospital.
What was it with the longing to be driven in a car? I grew up walking to Joe Joe’s Variety store to get my penny red Swedish fish. I walked to school every day. We would walk to 9th Street to get fresh fruit and vegetables. The only time we drove to 9th street was when we would buy live crabs on a Friday. Well, as much as I desired being driven places, driving with live crabs, clawing at the bushel sitting in the back seat made me never want to get in any car again. My imagination would run wild. I would envision the crabs climbing over the back seat, clawing my grandpop’s eyes out; biting my mother’s hands. I could picture my grandmother cursing the crabs in Italian, cursing my grandpop too. As little as she was, she was a loaded pistol.
There were also other rare occasions that we got to experience the joy of a car ride. We would take annual trips to the zoo or to visit distant relatives. We also took family vacations to Wildwood every August. But once we arrived in Wildwood, we walked everywhere, including the seven long blocks to the boardwalk.
My siblings and I would have so much fun during our car rides. We would play color cars, or since it wasn’t a law to wear seatbelts, we would squish each other every time my father made a sharp turn. We would bond as a family. We would tell stories, talk about all the fun things we planned to do once we reached our destination, and talked about the sites we saw along the way.
As I live through my life, I often think of that ugly side paneled green station wagon. I think about all the fun things I experienced in my life while that station wagon sat idle in front of my house. I also remember the fun we had on those rare occasions that we drove somewhere. I realize now that when I was a passenger, my father was the one in charge of making the decisions on what road to take. He decided when we should walk or drive. My job was easy, sit back and enjoy the walk or ride.
Today, I am the driver. I choose what roads to follow. It is my choices that determine how I reach my destiny. My choices not only influence my life, but the lives of those who travel in my car.
Ironically, I drive a green suburban. Is the green symbolic? I think it is. Green to a driver means go, and go I do. Yet at times, there are bumps in the road that influence what speed I may travel. There are accidents along the way which may cause my journey to stop. Often my choices influence those around me, either directly or indirectly. For example, if I change lanes, my choice may impact the choice of other drivers. At other times, the choices other people on the roadway make directly affect my travels.
It is through this thought process that I am reminded of how much driving is like living life. I make choices. My choices not only affect me, but those around me as well. My final destination is what drives me forward, with my faith guiding me along the way. I don’t want to be like that green station wagon, sitting idle as life passes me by. I choose to drive and experience life. I want to be like the green station wagon that transported my family to a place that was fun, and happy. I am willing to get caught in a traffic jam, experience the joy of seeing a green light, and once in a while getting out of the car and take a much needed walk. I am uncertain as to how long I will live my life, but I am certain that my faith and inspirations will make it a memorable journey.
“There is no need to drive when you can walk…it isn’t that far.”
Or if it was far, “We will lose our parking spot.”
Needless to say, as a child I was extremely frustrated. Our dark green, side paneled station wagon sat in front of our house like a monument. It was an untouchable visual. The sad part is to my siblings and I, the car was ugly. We made fun of the station wagon whenever the opportunity presented itself. Yet knowing the hideous green machine could get us to our destination faster made our thoughts about driving around in the embarrassing car disappear.
When I was five years old, I needed my tonsils out. The hospital, Saint Agnes, was six blocks away. Not really far, but definitely worthy of a car ride. In my mind, I was going off to have surgery. I was going to have to stay for a few days. Since I was the middle child of five, I always felt a little deprived. Needing surgery, well that was an attention getter for me. To have bragging rights that my dad and mom would actually drive me to the hospital made my dreaded surgery seem like a day in the park.
Well, I was in for a rude awakening. Obviously, even surgery to remove an organ from my body did not warrant a ride in that ugly, green paneled station wagon. Walk. That’s what we did. Walk. With my mom holding my right hand and my dad holding my left, we walked the six blocks to the hospital. They would lift me up to hop the curbs thinking it would make the walk seem fun. I remember feeling so loved. Yet part of me has never gotten over the fact that they did not drive me to the hospital.
What was it with the longing to be driven in a car? I grew up walking to Joe Joe’s Variety store to get my penny red Swedish fish. I walked to school every day. We would walk to 9th Street to get fresh fruit and vegetables. The only time we drove to 9th street was when we would buy live crabs on a Friday. Well, as much as I desired being driven places, driving with live crabs, clawing at the bushel sitting in the back seat made me never want to get in any car again. My imagination would run wild. I would envision the crabs climbing over the back seat, clawing my grandpop’s eyes out; biting my mother’s hands. I could picture my grandmother cursing the crabs in Italian, cursing my grandpop too. As little as she was, she was a loaded pistol.
There were also other rare occasions that we got to experience the joy of a car ride. We would take annual trips to the zoo or to visit distant relatives. We also took family vacations to Wildwood every August. But once we arrived in Wildwood, we walked everywhere, including the seven long blocks to the boardwalk.
My siblings and I would have so much fun during our car rides. We would play color cars, or since it wasn’t a law to wear seatbelts, we would squish each other every time my father made a sharp turn. We would bond as a family. We would tell stories, talk about all the fun things we planned to do once we reached our destination, and talked about the sites we saw along the way.
As I live through my life, I often think of that ugly side paneled green station wagon. I think about all the fun things I experienced in my life while that station wagon sat idle in front of my house. I also remember the fun we had on those rare occasions that we drove somewhere. I realize now that when I was a passenger, my father was the one in charge of making the decisions on what road to take. He decided when we should walk or drive. My job was easy, sit back and enjoy the walk or ride.
Today, I am the driver. I choose what roads to follow. It is my choices that determine how I reach my destiny. My choices not only influence my life, but the lives of those who travel in my car.
Ironically, I drive a green suburban. Is the green symbolic? I think it is. Green to a driver means go, and go I do. Yet at times, there are bumps in the road that influence what speed I may travel. There are accidents along the way which may cause my journey to stop. Often my choices influence those around me, either directly or indirectly. For example, if I change lanes, my choice may impact the choice of other drivers. At other times, the choices other people on the roadway make directly affect my travels.
It is through this thought process that I am reminded of how much driving is like living life. I make choices. My choices not only affect me, but those around me as well. My final destination is what drives me forward, with my faith guiding me along the way. I don’t want to be like that green station wagon, sitting idle as life passes me by. I choose to drive and experience life. I want to be like the green station wagon that transported my family to a place that was fun, and happy. I am willing to get caught in a traffic jam, experience the joy of seeing a green light, and once in a while getting out of the car and take a much needed walk. I am uncertain as to how long I will live my life, but I am certain that my faith and inspirations will make it a memorable journey.
Mile Markers
Life in the fast lane with the wind blowing through my hair and the sun shining warming my soul. The times in my life that have brought me joy, and have filled me with so much love that I want to continue driving and enjoying the view. |
Sometimes life does not allow me to travel in the fast lane. There are speed bumps, traffic jams, accidents-whether intentional or not, and red lights that slow me down. In my life, I have had many “Traffic Jams” which have impacted my life and affected my travels. |
Green Means Go 1986 My “first” daughter is born. 1987 My brother married my dearest friend. 1987 My wedding day. 1989 My daughter is born. 1991 My daughter is born. 1992 My son is born. 1994 My daughter is born. 1995 My daughter is born. 1997 My New Jersey life begins. 1999 My son is born 2002 My teaching career begins 2003 My circle of friends grows 2003 My Eucharistic Minister career begins 2008 My parents 50th wedding anniversary |
Traffic Jams 1987 My Grandfather died. 1988 My mother took ill. 1989 My Grandmother died. 1990 My husband was laid off. 1993 My son needed surgery. 1996 My husband has a terrible car accident. 1998 My best friend has ovarian cancer. 2001 My world is rocked by 9/11. 2001 My life crushed by a ‘mistake.’ 2002 My friend’s five year old son died. 2003 My mother has lung cancer. 2004 My best friend died. 2009 My admired friend has breast cancer. 2010 My six year old student died. |
Bringing Faith for the Drive
September 29, 2010
Dear God,
Hello God, are you there? It’s me, Lisa.
Here I am, travelling through my life hoping and praying I am wise enough to make the right choices. I continually look to you for guidance. I am always worried whether I am choosing the right path. My worry is intensified when I am not the only one going for the ride . I have passengers who are affected by my choices. I know my life will not always be smooth sailing. Yet, I depend on you to help me make the right choices.
I try to live each day to its fullest. To make wise choices and keep you in mind while choosing the right road to travel. It is not always easy to know which way to go. The road is sometimes foggy or drenched with evil. Sometimes people try to cut me off the road in their haste to reach their own destination.
There are also times when I stray off the path because I lose my way. I know you cannot control free will…I often pray that my will be your will! Yet my faith has taught me that what I want may not always be what is best for me. These are times when I know you are there to carry me along the emergency road, leaving your footprints as you carry me along the way.
I love my life. You inspire me through good times and bad! And although I realize my life on Earth is only part of my journey, I want to enjoy every moment I experience during my travels. I want to leave a positive impact on those whom I encounter along the way.
I see your beauty here on Earth, and I know one day I will no longer be the driver. You will take the wheel and bring me to my ultimate destination…heaven. Until then, please guide me, watch over me, and influence my decisions as I travel through life. I love you always!
Love,
Lisa
Driving Through Life
As our life begins we learn to take baby steps
Soon we walk, and then begin to run
We learn to ride a bike
And then to drive a car
Life is always driving forward
It’s been said “Life is a Highway”
It certainly is
Sometimes we travel by foot
Others we may drive or fly
Life is always driving forward
The road may be lonely and narrow
Or busy and wide
We may travel alone or share our journey
Our role may be passenger or driver
Life is always driving forward
Our path may be clear and well paved
Or difficult and bumpy
But no matter what
We are determined to reach our destination
Life is always driving forward
Is life really driving us forward?
What influences our choices?
Is it knowing what is waiting for us at the end of the road?
Or some driving force within our soul urging us on?
Will our destination meet our expectations?
As in driving, we make life choices
We choose a path we believe will bring us happiness
Roads we believe to be safe
Determined to reach our final destiny…where ever it may be
Faith is driving us forward.
Soon we walk, and then begin to run
We learn to ride a bike
And then to drive a car
Life is always driving forward
It’s been said “Life is a Highway”
It certainly is
Sometimes we travel by foot
Others we may drive or fly
Life is always driving forward
The road may be lonely and narrow
Or busy and wide
We may travel alone or share our journey
Our role may be passenger or driver
Life is always driving forward
Our path may be clear and well paved
Or difficult and bumpy
But no matter what
We are determined to reach our destination
Life is always driving forward
Is life really driving us forward?
What influences our choices?
Is it knowing what is waiting for us at the end of the road?
Or some driving force within our soul urging us on?
Will our destination meet our expectations?
As in driving, we make life choices
We choose a path we believe will bring us happiness
Roads we believe to be safe
Determined to reach our final destiny…where ever it may be
Faith is driving us forward.