Trust & Obey

As I am continuing to get closer to the time I leave for college (three weeks away!), I thought it would be fun to pass the time with my cousins and sister by going on a road trip. We needed to get to Oma’s house and opted to drive ourselves there to make things easier on our parents.

Every year, Livi, our two cousins, and I come to Oma’s house and hang out for about five or six days. Oma plans all sorts of things like crafts, snacks, and movies to watch over the next five or six days. One of the days, we go to Oma’s brother’s house where we use jet skis and go tubing! We did that Monday and let me tell you tubing makes me so sore! When you hold on for dear life, your muscles get so tense. The next morning you wake up with pain ripping across your arms and chest.

To get to Oma’s, we have to take the interstate five hours, which does not include getting gas and finding a place to eat. I was so nervous about doing it! I was worried that I would mess it up or go the wrong way. Despite this, I decided I should just do it and not worry. One of my cousins sat in the front with me and helped navigate while Livi and our other cousin sat in the back DJing for the car ride. After running to Dollar Tree to purchase some snacks, we began blaring music and flying down the interstate.

During the trip, we eventually had to get the gas and food so we entered a city that was crazy compared to the easy-going small-town roads I’m used to. At one point, we almost passed the Jimmy John’s we planned to eat at. So I veered a hard right and made it to the restaurant; cutting off a car in the process! I repeated this same behavior when my cousin told me we needed to turn but not when. As we were about to go past it I asked “When do I turn?” she responded swiftly with “Now,” and that’s when I sharply turned right. Thankfully, we made it back onto the interstate safe and sound! During this time, I laughed and said, “Not only do I seem incompetent, I seem dangerous!”

Driving five hours straight was out of my comfort zone in every way! I hate driving, am prone to zoning out/daydreaming, and am not a confident driver. This has all accumulated into me not wanting to ever take a road trip with me as the driver- so the idea made me hesitate. However, after doing it I was so proud of myself! I felt like I had accomplished something huge and was so glad I didn’t let my fear stop me. There is something so exciting and relieving about charging ahead despite being fearful. As John Wayne once said, “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”