Friday, August 14, 2009

Morning Talks

For the last few years, my son’s school bus picked him up around the same time I leave for work. We would wait for the bus together in my cool/dry/warm (depending on the weather) SUV, and we would talk. Our conversations covered many topics, varying from the mundane (school work) to the serious (politics). We have learned a lot about each other through those 10 minute talks.

A few weeks ago, my son got his drivers license. He has been practicing for a year and now he is ready to drive solo. When school starts this year, he won’t be riding the bus. He will be driving his new (used) pick-up truck.

I have all the normal concerns of the parent of a teen driver (accidents, tickets, insurance premiums). But more than that, I will miss our morning talks. I’m sure we’ll still have great conversations at home or on the road, but there’s just something special about morning – when the sun hasn’t quite risen and everything seems fresh and new. Things always seem a little brighter in the morning.

I will always treasure the memories of our morning talks, and I’m going to miss them.

Maybe I can convince him to get up a little earlier so we can talk over breakfast.


Note: This post was written in the morning, which explains the optimism expressed in that last sentence.