Our grandson, Colton, started school in August. I am fortunate that my job allows time flexibility (it comes from working weird hours and having a great boss) and most days I am able to pick him up from school. I must add that when his daddy was young I also picked him up from school. However, I have no recollection of any of this daily hurriedness in that car rider line! Yes, the car rider line has changed immensely! Even though school dismisses at exactly the same time that it did those years ago, apparently the information about when a child’s day ends has been lost. I watch people every day that arrive at school at 2:20 – 2:50, rush into a parking space (making sure they are ahead of the car rider line so that they can make their exit), hurry into the school, check their child(ren) out, rush back to their cars and leave. My first thought was WOW a lot of kids have doctors appointments in the afternoon. That was until I heard a couple of people talking to their children/grandchilden about how they are NOT waiting in that car rider line. I get it. I truly do. If you aren’t in the line by 2:15, then you don’t get your rider into the car until 3:30. For little guys, that just extends their day by another thirty minutes, after they have been gone since early morning, have racked their little brains all day, are exhausted and STARVING! But for those of you who are in the “I won’t wait” category, I ask you what lesson are you teaching? For that matter, do you savor any of your day?

I, too, began this journey in a hurry. I have decided, however, that there is a much more productive and pleasant way to spend my time. Sometimes I check my email (the joy of quiet email time), sometimes I work (have laptop, will travel), but there are also afternoons that I just sit and wonder. Wonder what, you ask? I wonder how Colton’s day was at school. I wonder whether or not he learned anything new and IF he will share that with me (not all five-year old days are the same). I allow myself that sweet, sweet moment of anticipation (just like when I used to pick Joshua up in the afternoon) about seeing Colton’s smile when he sees me. I relish the fact that I am able to sit in a car rider line and wait out the time that it takes to pick up our grandson. Such a blessing! For those of you who are in such a hurry…it reflects in your actions when you have your child by the hand, hurrying to your car, no speaking and rushing them around. Take a breath; allow yourself that moment. Tomorrow is but a few hours away and you will never get back the opportunity that you just passed up.