The Detour

New Plan, Same Destiny

By Chardonnay Beaver

I remember my first road-trip, at least the one I can actually recall.

One of my grandfathers was born and raised in Berkeley, CA. After meeting my grandma, who was visiting her relatives in Oakland at the time, he relocated to Seattle in the early 70’s. They shortly after wed.

Though they later divorced, the Bay Area is our family’s second home. My infinity for the Bay Area, specifically Berkeley, wasn’t realized until my first road-trip.

I was 8 years old and still don’t know how my family huddled into a SUV for a 13 hour drive to Oakland. Love must’ve really taken over that day, or we were entertained by our new Nintendo DS’, while the adults rotated who drove next.

Between the ages of 8 and 16, I’d find myself returning to Berkeley via road trip. Those were the memories I cherished the most after my grandfather passed.

I can remember my grandfather’s method for condensing our 13 hour road trip into 9 hours.

“Oregon is the longest part of the drive. You’ll find yourself driving through all different kinds of climate. This is why I take the detour, but no matter what detour you take we still have to go through the mountain,” he said.

Whether he realized it or not, he spoke an entire message in just three sentences. Detours in life function the same way: new plans, same destiny. Plus, choosing a different route doesn’t exempt you from having to travel through the mountains and rocky terrain of life.

I remember watching my mom drive through those mountains. She, no matter how many times the drivers behind her impatiently hunked, always took her time driving through the mountains. She paced herself.

Similarly, we must pace ourselves when acclimating to the rocky mountain terrain– proceeding with caution despite the opinions of others.

Words of Wisdom by Char of the Week: Proverbs 14:12-16