Enjoy the Ride

There are brighter days ahead. This I know. Often it seems like I'm in a car driving at night. I leave from New York and the headlights of the truck only illuminate a few hundred yards in front of me. I'm going to California and I want to see the entire path, the whole road, every twist and turn, each mountain pass and yawning valley. My headlights don't cast the light that far. All I can see is what's directly in front of me. It takes a leap of faith to know that the path will spread out before me in the inky darkness. I have to trust that the road continues, that bridges will span rivers, that signposts will be erected to help guide my way. I can't make every turn from this point. I can't take every exit or navigate every interchange from this place here, where the wheels of the truck spin and asphalt recedes beneath the chassis. I have to be patient. If I have a map (or in this age a navigation unit) I will know that I need to guide my vehicle in this way or that. All I can do is prepare for the next step of the journey. I can't make the journey all at once. It takes time to cross a continent. I have to settle in my seat and pay attention behind the wheel. I turn up the radio, adjust the cruise control and lean back in my seat. I need to enjoy the ride.