Trapped in a car...

There are days I feel like all I do is drive from one place to another. work-home-library-yoga-home-etc. Today on one of my numerous car trips, I took my son to the orthodontist for his appointment. Now, I did have to go by the library, then home to pick him up before he actually got in the car with me, but then...I had him trapped. He was stuck with me for the 20 minute ride to the orthodontist and the 20 minute ride home. These may have been the best 40 minutes of my day. With Caleb trapped in the car, he had no room to go hide in and no computer or television to watch youtube on. It was just him and me. Talking. Pure conversation. I adore taking my son to appointments because of this time. I have found that the more "errands" I can tag on, the more time I get to spend with him where we laugh and talk about our lives. I get to actually hear what he studies at school. He tells me about his classes and what he enjoys reading and learning. We discuss other kids, family, and teachers. Through these conversations, I have learned that he is an amazing person. He is witty, smart, and quick on the draw. He laughs easily and speaks eloquently. He is exactly the kind of person I want as a friend. Which is kind of awesome because he is forced to be my friend on these car rides. I ask him to put his phone away and he does. (Unless we are googling something very important, like who stars in the new movie we want to see or a book title we have recently heard.) You see, I have found that sometimes it can be difficult for my son to open up to me. He is 14. I expected this. But that doesn't make it any easier. So on the days when he hides in his room all day and only comes down to ask what we are having for dinner, I remember these days. When he talked to me. Really talked. Because he was trapped in a car.