Cruising Through the New Normal

Recently, given the new normal in the time that we’re living through, I have been going for long drives every two or three days. As a stay-at-home dad and an online writing teacher, I hardly do any driving anymore as it is, but being told that I can’t leave my home has only made me want to go out more, and I’m driving much more now than I probably have in the last few years.

Now, don’t get me wrong; I’m not getting out of the truck and going in places. I live with a severe immune deficiency that affects my upper and lower respiratory systems, so I’m at the very high-risk end of the population. I wouldn’t want to put myself at risk or risk contracting this plague and infecting anyone else. However, from the safety of my big blue Nissan bubble, I am free to people watch, cruise the countryside, and park in scenic outdoor areas.

This has also given me the unexpected side effect of catching up over the phone with lots of friends and family to whom I haven’t spoken in quite a while. Sitting in the truck with the radio down low and reminiscing with dad and sister about the good times we had growing up and also hashing out and forgiving some of the bad times has been immensely cathartic.

If you have the capability and the opportunity, and I’m assuming most of you do if you’re reading this car blog, then consider going out for a long drive, putting that Apple Music or Google Music library on shuffle, and finding a great spot to park, relax, and reflect on the good things in your life. It doesn’t matter if you pray, meditate, converse with others, or just sit and be still for a bit, the ride is definitely worth it.

-Trey Fennell