For years now most mornings Jackson, the dogs, and I load up in the car and head for school. First it was Bentley then Duke and now it’s Duke and Winnie and most days it’s Jerimiah too, because for several years he’s been taking a late start to spend those extra moments with us. He knew it would be time well spent and has been grateful for the opportunity.
It’s a little silly, but it’s been our routine and it was an easy one to fall into. The places and the faces have changed. From Pre-k in Missouri, to three elementary schools in NC and GA. All through middle school and freshman year too: Parent(s), kid, dog(s) and occasionally Starbucks.
Sometimes it was busy streets, all interstate for a short time in Charlotte, at times a more rural, winding road. But it was always cool morning air, heads out the window (the dogs anyway), and mostly singing. When the dogs and I get home they enjoy their Pup Cups, then Winnie and I rumble about her trying to get a quick taste of condensation off my cup, and we start our day.
Today was our last family ride to school. Tomorrow, if all goes as planned, he’ll be a licensed driver and on Monday he will hop in his car and leave us waving goodbye from the driveway. Dad will be hoping for safety, that he makes good choices. I’ll be wishing for patience, from him but mostly from everyone else. And the dogs, well they’ll just be looking for their Pup Cups.
In these moments I thought what I’d hate is the practical stuff. The crazy Atlanta traffic, the fear of road rage, those angry morning commuters. But actually what I’m all twisted up about this morning is how quickly it all went. That bittersweet inching up in my throat. It feels like a timer has started and I can’t turn it off.
I know I should be happy for him, relieved to enjoy those extra moments to myself and proud that I have a 16-year-old I trust, but I’m just stuck in this weird gray space pinging my mind and heart from the past to the future, like a nervous chipmunk looking for shelter.
These are the parts no one tells you about. They kind of suck. But there are good times too. I promise. And today I let Winnie lick the condensation.
Melissa Goodnight 
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