What brings you the most absolute joy in your life.
Of course my family and friends are the answer to that question – there’s no doubt. But one of the great things about the people that love me most is that they totally understand my need to get out and be on my own every now and then and just drive.
I love driving. I adore driving. Since I was a kid I have loved driving. At one point I tried to start the rumor that someone had nicknamed me Mario ( after Mario Andretti ) but I soon discovered that rumors you start by yourself about yourself rarely ever stick. And that’s how it went with this “nickname” of mine – it never ever stuck.
But I kept driving anyway. On my 16th birthday I was the first in line at the DMV. Not just the first in line to get a drivers license but first in line period. There was another guy there from my highschool who was also skipping class to get his license first thing in the morning. It didn’t matter that he was one of the coolest guys in the school. On that day he was second in line.
But on a recent evening I was reminded of the absolute calmness that comes over me when I drive. It was a wide open space late at night and the radio stations seemed to be picking up from all over the county. When I find myself in one state with a radio station from another I hit the “SEEK” button and wait to see where it takes me.