road map.

I was cleaning some odds and ends out of the backseat of my car. Laughing in mockery at myself as to how quickly things pile up back there as I go from one activity to the next. At the bottom of the pile of junk I discovered my atlas. The cover torn off, pages coming loose, random MapQuest directions shoved between state maps, doodles and stars and arrows cover some pages of the areas I frequent most often. I spent some time flipping through it, smiling, remembering the trips and those who were along for the ride, my heart longing for the open road. To return to these places that brought so much joy.

I shrugged it off and thought briefly I should add a new atlas to my Christmas list, quickly dismissing it thinking the map I have is good enough; perhaps holding some sentimental value to the map I have in its distressed state. It’s worn in, I know the pages well. What good would a new map be?

The only logical thing I could come up with was in fact a huge one. Duh. A new one would have the updated streets and roads. Roads this old map doesn’t have. This map can only get me so far, a new map would open up all new possibilities. A clean slate. New roads. New avenues. The potential is great.

So easily it related to my own life’s adventure. How I so desperately wanted to continue on those old roads that are comfortable and well traveled. If I would let go, and look into a new updated map I would discover so many new roads and avenues. Where there were empty open fields before, roads cut through pathways marked out. Stopping places, rest areas, people to see, fish to fry.

And yet here I am sitting nearing the end of the road. My map doesn’t get me any further. I’m staring a head into open nothingness with uncertainty and bewilderment. Excited for the adventure yet scared to leave the comfort of what I know; uncertain of where to go next because I need the updated map, the one that shows the new highways and byways.

The best part of new road maps is that sometimes the new roads take you through the places of your past, just in new ways. Sometimes the old well traveled roads are still most efficient in getting you to your destination. Sometimes new roads take you through old destinations, old stopping points, but this time it’s merely a rest area for the grander picture.

So I’m asking for a new road map for Christmas ;)