Thursday, May 31, 2007

Day Two: Phoenix

Today we made clear to Phoenix. We drove 1,177 miles today. That's even further than yesterday.

We're bringing the charming and beautiful Susan her car so that when she has Ali in California, she'll be able to shuttle her around.

We have the back seat folded down with everything packed to one side of the car. We put down sleeping bags and pillows on the open side. This little car (a Pontiac Vibe) is quite spacious. The front passenger seat even folds down flat. With the back seat folded down and the front seat folded flat, we have a long surface for one of us to stretch out on and take a nap while the other drives.

It's amazing how refreshing a one hour nap is. I call this my "hour of power." Short naps are the key putting in a good day on the road.

We got to Phoenix, checked in to our motel, and hit one of those old fashioned diners like my mom and dad used to stop at when they took us kids on road. It's kind of cool sitting with my boy in one of these places while we're on a road trip. I'm learning that my son has grown into quite a young man.

Aaron was staring out the window and I asked him what he was thinking about.

"I'm looking at that guy across the street."

I turned to see what he was looking at. There was a homeless guy sitting on a milk crate with a cardboard sign in his hand. Aaron was itching to help the guy or talk to him. After a couple of minutes, Aaron excused himself to go to the bathroom. While he was gone, I grabbed my server and ordered a cheeseburger and fries to go.

Aaron came back to the table and we ate our meals pretty much in silence--we were both wiped out. But he kept looking out the window at the homeless guy.

I didn't say anything. I just left him with his thoughts.

The server brought the check and told me my to go order would be right up. Aaron gave me a weird look and said, "Man, you must be hungry."

I said, "No, but that dude is." Our server walked up with my Styrofoam containers. Aaron just smiled and trotted across the street with the food.

I don't think I would have even noticed that guy if Aaron didn't point him out. He has a tender heart and I'm proud of him. He's light years ahead of where I was at eighteen.




other stats:
most expensive gas: $3.33/gal. (West Texas)
best gas mileage: 33 miles/gal.
temperature in Phoenix at 6:00pm: 104 degrees

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Neat time with your boy. And a good lesson, to boot.

Sounds like you'll reach your destination tomorrow, yes?

Bryonm said...

Lord willing...

Chris Goeppner said...

Aaron is awesome! I'm glad you guys have this time together.
You're in our prayers.
-P

Anonymous said...

You 'da dad! What a cool memory.
You guys are all about love. Your family has been amazing through all of this. God is blessing you through tragedy and doing multitudes of miracles through this situation. I am in awe of all He is doing.... big and small.
We're praying for you guys!

Unknown said...

I'm glad you get to spend this time with Aaron. I'm so proud of the young man he is turing into. I continue to keep everyone in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

cool to see how the Lord is using all of you during this trial. even in the midst of this to have this precious time with your son. aweseome!

Bryonm said...

Aaron's great!

Anonymous said...

Our Lord has all this wonderfull ways to open the eyes of our heart and to teach us thruogh so many people daily and he is using you and your family to give us so many of us such and awasome lesson.

We keep you in our prayers have a safe trip!!!

Romayne said...

Hi guys
Just checking in with you both to let you know you're in my prayers too. Hope Susan's coping with her own aches and pains with all the sititng around etc. Blessings, Romayne (Belfast)