Robin Dodd Photography

Remember the simplicity of going on a road trip. You sat in the back seat and looked out the window. You had the copy of Flowers in the Attic, that you "borrowed" from your cousin, the last time you were over there, for when your dad took over the radio and made you listen to the Willie Nelson Red Headed Stranger cassette the whole way. You rolled down the window because it was Texas in the spring time and the air was already warm. Your mom packed ranch Doritos and  Dr. Pepper, and your dad said "Don't drink it too fast" , I'm not stopping every five minutes. Sometimes you played slug bug, or I spy. Eventually you got where you were going in one piece and the pretend misery was over, because deep down it brought a special thrill to be going on an adventure, even if it was just to your grandmother's house.

Today my high school prom date posted a throwback pic to high school graduation, 30 years ago.  I have the same reaction every time I see it. Why was my hair was orange? When I look at this picture, I feel all the feelings, all over again.  I see the happy faces of four people who didn't have a clue, but thought that they did and that right there makes me want to weep.  Boy if I could write a little note to each one of us that started with  "Before you go..."   Many of my friends are sending their kids off to college, the St. Elmo's Fire theme isn't playing in the background of their pictures, but the expressions on the faces remain the same. Look out world, I'm coming to kick your ass.  Segway... Ken Burns is Grace's history teacher this year, and I am crying right  through the Roosevelt series. Who  knew Ken Burns could hook you in  like the damn Notebook... but what strikes me throughout is that they couldn't make those s...