Remember back in the day when you got in your car on a hot summer night and cruised? Last night I met my high school classmates for dinner and had a blast. One gal was there that I hadn’t seen since graduation. It was a really big crowd and it was hard to get to talk to everyone more than just a quick catch up. But that’s what we have Facebook for.

After everyone left, I found myself sitting in the parking lot, posting and tagging photos of the evening so everyone could enjoy them. When I was done, I just didn’t feel like going home. I felt like cruisin’. I started up the truck, turned on the music, and what started playing? Why, Mr. Smoky Robinson…”Cruisin”! I rolled down the windows and drove down memory lane. First stop was City Park. Then up Washington Avenue to the High School. THE High School. Parkersburg High School. We are the Big Reds and…once a Big Red…always a Big Red! This is one of the prettiest high schools I’ve ever seen. There was a track meet going on so the stadium was lit up. I sat there remembering those warm spring nights forty-four years ago leading up to high school graduation. We were filled with such promise. We were so excited to get this part of our lives over with and move on. Now we want to reach back and grab those days and feel them again.

Afterward, I just meandered about, feeling the warm air on my skin as I rested my arm out the window. Breathing in the sweet smells of lilac mixed with the heavy aroma of pizza from the local hangout. Such memories. Eventually, I made my way home. What a beautiful evening.

❤

““I thought, ‘I will die in my own house, my days as numerous as the grains of sand. My roots will reach to the water, and the dew will lie all night on my branches. My glory will not fade; the bow will be ever new in my hand.’”

Job 29:18-20