Day 2 of 31- Car Rides

3/1/2021

Alex and I have taken a lot of car rides together. We've driven up and down the parkways, east and west, to various doctor's appointments. The car rides are less frequent now, but today we took one.

Nowadays, Alex sits up front with me and DJ's, finding fun songs we can sing to on our drive. Today's playlist included "Look, Ma, I MadeIt", "Kokomo", and covers from the Chipmunks/Chipettes including "Survivor" and "Bad Romance."

Both of us would rather be home. The car ride today carried us to laser treatments for scarring. Alex was badly attacked by a dog three years ago which has left facial scarring we've been working on for years. We wait in the waiting room. We wait in the numbing room . It's a lot of waiting for something that hurts. It's not how a ten year old wants to spend his time after school (or a 41 year old, either, for that matter.)

The car ride, though, they are time we spend together, singing or chatting. Like another good song once said, it's like "sunshine on a cloudy day." A silver lining to a stormy cloud. My boy.

7 Comments

melanie meehan

3/2/2021 03:20:05 am

I'm sorry that you still have to deal with this, Kathleen, and I'm also sorry for Alex. What a haunting event, even for me, and I am SO far removed!

The responsibility of the aux is a big deal in our cars. I've lost my privileges. That might be a slice later this month.

Tim Gels link

3/2/2021 03:23:14 am

Kathleen, from the outside looking in, those are trips that extend a tragic situation, but they're also small moments of joy and togetherness. I love how Alex DJs, making music a part of your shared experience. There's something about time in the car that can be so wonderful. Thanks for the glimpse--I appreciate it.

Lynne Dorfman link

3/2/2021 03:49:04 am

Kathleen, I am sorry to hear that Alex had this experience and that it continues with trips to the doctor. I loved to hear about your time in the car with Alex, listening to songs together. Powerful ending to a small moment story. Concise and filled with emotion. Quite beautiful!

Timothy Wheeler

3/2/2021 03:52:20 am

This story is so beautifully told. My what you've been through. This is a story that I think you'll be glad to have written years from now. And Alex probably will be glad you did too.

Erika Victor

3/2/2021 03:52:44 am

The scars are fading as new memories are being made- something positive from all of the horror of that dog attack. You both are so brave making these regular trips into something with a little levity. I feel for you both.

Larkin Meehan link

3/2/2021 09:30:35 am

Kathleen, I'm so sorry to hear about Alex. It sounds like he is quite the trooper and you are an amazing mom finding those silver linings. This post was so well written and easy to read, despite how difficult I know it must be for you. Xx

Eva Kaplan

3/2/2021 05:16:34 pm

It's those tender moments that you remember, not the sitting in the waiting room. Kathleen, you always find a way to bring light where others would see darkness.

Courage Doesn't Always Roar:
The Quest to Be Better Each Day