Looking out the window in the passengers seat--watching the scenery change time and time again--my mind turns in circles. Thinking about everthing there is in my mind, over and over again. Music blaring and my mind racing: The curse of traveling. So many odd thoughts going through my mind, that its hard to explain them all in one relevant and coherent writing. From love to religion, from growing-up to "I wonder what song comes next?" A road trip is probably the best way to clear your mind--I have never been so clear in my life I feel then I am after a road trip.
I started with thinking about a story my great-grandmother told me about a year ago. She had never told anyone else about this--not her daughter and not her grandaugter (my grandmother and mother). I wasn't sure why at the time, I just listened closely as she told me about her youth. She told me about when she was a child, she loved theater, and she loved art (my family never knew she was in drama!). Her and her best friend loved to perform, and they both wanted to be actress's when they grew up. Then my grandmother fell in love. At 17 she was married and a year later she had a child. Her friend went off to school and started her acting career, as my grandma fell behind. Several years later her friend was nominated for 2 golden globes--Mitzy Gaynor (look her up if you don't know who she is!) My grandma then began to tell me to go for your dreams first. She told me that I am a lot like her, and if I want to be an actress....go for it. Don't get married and settled so young. I will regret it. I just smiled and nodded at the time. But now I completly understand what she meant., and I understand why she told me of all people her story--she doesn't want me to make the same mistake.
She was young and in love, but not sensible. Instead of going for her dreams, she got married. Shes been married for over 60 years now, but only 10 happy years. As her friend went off and lived "her" life. Yes, I am young, and yes I am in love. But there is no way I will ever get married as young as my great-grandmother. I hold her advice higher then almost anyones. I belive it is possible to be young and in love, and follow your dreams. Love is the best feeling in the world, but knowing you made the right desicions in your life is just as gratifing. With my grandmothers story still in my head, we traveled on. I couldn't help but smile the whole trip: knowing I had figured out what my grandmother wanted me to know. Road trips are good for clearing your mind, and setting your soul free to dream.
