Driving

Sometime I forget how much I like to drive. Generally too fast, with music way too loud.

Saturday night, I flew in to San Francisco and rented a car. I stayed at a hotel near the airport, had dinner with friends, came back to my room, and slept. Slept like the dead.

Things have been crazy at home, as they always are, although this week had an extra layer since I knew I was headed to Camp Shutter Sisters. Something I had been looking forward to for months was becoming an inconvenience at the last minute because of deadlines, finances, household chores and everything else that gets in the way of those things we look forward to.

I got in the car this morning, planning to drive straight down to Monterey. Just get to camp, do some work, catch up on email, my regular modus operandi.

The minute I got into the driver’s seat, the day had a different idea for me.

“I think I will stop at the store.” Which is weird for me to do in another state, but I forgot my car charger and I wanted to listen to music.

“I think I will have lunch in Santa Cruz.” Which was on the way, but not on the schedule – however, seeing as I hadn’t read any of the materials from camp, would I really be breaking any rules by being late? Besides, it was still only 1pm.

Lunch turned into a walk on the wharf, some photos, some seafood and really taking a long look at the water.

I drove for the next hour, through light traffic, just watching the California coast, listening to music, and thinking.

Processing.

My bad ear hurt a little, but at the same time, I was hearing things. Sounds and tones I had not heard in a long time.

I think my hearing is coming back.

But more importantly, I realized, on the drive down to camp, my soul is coming back.

I have had a hard couple of years. Stress at work, stress at home, stress on my body taking its toll. I forgot myself for a while.

When I got to camp, all these ladies were inviting. A bit timid, but smiles and warmth were there, with arms open. My friends from Shutter Sisters laid down the rules: there are no rules.

We take this time to do what we need to.

Sounds good to me.