Husband #2 and I loved taking long drives in the country. It was interesting to find out where a road started and where it ended. We would comment about birds of prey, old trees, rock outcrops, rolling hills, dilapidated farm houses, and fields of wildflowers. We would drive for hours, occasionally stopping for a chai tea and a cup of coffee.
Most of the time we’d ride in silence, talk about the mundane, or I’d sing along to the radio. Husband #2 was a singer as well, but he never remembered the lyrics to songs. So I’d sing solo. He was amazed at my ability to remember the words to hundreds, if not thousands, of songs. Sometimes it was only the chorus. Sometimes it was the whole song, including singing the guitar solos.
On nice days, we’d ride around with the windows down. My hair would get completely destroyed but the feel of a warm breeze overrode my wish to have my bangs in place. We’d hold hands. His right hand to my left hand. Or when he had both hands on the wheel, I would drape my arm over the center console and rest my fingers against his thigh. We weren’t doing anything except wasting gas and spending time together.
I miss those rides. Now that Spring has arrived, there is so much change in the landscape. The dogwoods, cherries, and crab apples are blooming. Oaks and maples are sending out new leaves. Phlox is replacing the wild daffodils. Color abounds in the landscape.
It’s not the same taking a ride without him.
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