Sunday, November 25, 2018

There are a few standards that rule the Rooney travel tradition, and when I say travel, I mean from home to work and/or from sea to shining sea.  Moving from place to place always includes, “Come on honey, I know a short cut!” and “I would google it, but there’s no phone service.” Before cell phones, we had global positioning assistance, but believe it or not, there are places even satellites can’t find and redirect you. Obviously we’ve always arrived home safe and sound……with a tale to tell and legends to laugh about.

One Christmas break Keith and I contracted the delivery of two, new school buses, to High Point, North Carolina. We began our 830 mile trip early on the 20th of December feeling confident we’d return home late on the 23rd. Just in case you ever wanted to know, it is further across Tennessee (440 miles) than New Mexico or Arizona. A drive through the Appalachians is always a delight, but as we arrived in High Point, an absolutely amazing city, the home furnishings and hosiery capitol of the world, a weather report indicated snow and ice separated us from home. 

The decision was made to go south where the precipitation would be liquid. After a quick stop for Krispy Kreme’s and coffee, we headed into the nighttime, determined to be home before Christmas Eve. Soon we had to choose, steer over the hills and through the woods and risk the last remnants of a winter storm, or continue southward, adding hours and fuel to our trip.  I voted south for safety, but the gypsy I hitched my wagon to, said, “We can make it.” Off we went, over a narrow mountain pass. Minutes in, our GPS let us know we were in ‘No Man’s’ land and the silent span of black space was intimidating. Rounding a bend in the road Keith slammed on the brakes. The mountain side had given way to gravity and was covering the highway. Warm dirt fogged as it met cold air. An entire spectrum of emotions swept over Keith and me as we turned to check on our sleeping, oblivious daughters.

We were delayed, not detoured or deterred. But we were exhausted. Remembering we had Christmas gifts hidden under some blankets, we pulled out a new Disney release. We felt sure the girls would never know and the animated comedy would keep two worried adults awake and distracted until dawn brought relief.

The wee hours of Christmas Eve brought us to our driveway.  Gifts were wrapped, but when the paper was pealed away on the 25th, a little voice became concerned when her new video held no disc. (Finding Nemo was still in the car DVD player.)

It was awhile before we could all laugh about that dark night and a used Christmas gift, but every adventure is a day of growing and learning. God’s hand of love and protection is crystal clear in hindsight and our hearts were and still are, full of gratitude. While the landslide didn’t send us helplessly off the cliff, our reaction to the stress could have ruined our relationship and family. And, our children could have chosen to hold selfish grudges over their parent’s absent minded mistakes. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

All choices don’t mean the difference between failure or success. Sometimes it’s only a matter of scenery, and every empty box doesn’t mean a blessing withheld, just delayed. BUT, grace and mercy were given and received and life went forward productively. It’s the best choice all day, everyday!

Blessings,

Gretchen