Being in a new place can be confusing. The roads are all different. It’s easy to get disoriented. North. South. Left. Right. This road is a dead-end. This one doesn’t lead to where you thought it did. LOST.
It’s just hard.
When we were on our Adventure to the Mouse House (I refuse to call it a vacation, people–vacations are about naps and books and time on your hands), it was very easy to get off track. Each morning we set out to visit a different park. We’d think we knew which way to turn based on directions given at the place we were staying or by the phone GPS or mostly by what we remembered from the day before. We were on a mission–cram in as much fun as we possibly could in the hours we were at the parks. This required us to get to each park as quickly as we could. So we could start having Much. Fun. We had no time for directions really. Let’s just wing it. And GO.
Ahem.
Every single time. Not kidding. Every single time it turned out we had turned the wrong way. Magic Kingdom was in the opposite direction of Epcot and Animal Kingdom was not the same direction as Hollywood Studios (just giving an example here folks, still not sure which was where). Sometimes we realized it as soon as we committed to the turn. But it was too late. And they don’t like U-turns down there either. So each time we would have to find a spot to turn around in, get back to the light and correct our way.
And just about every single time–well every time that I can recall–this was our safe place. Our place to regroup and get turned around. The fire station.
Such a cute place too. Look at it all painted with its Dalmatian spots all over it.
It got to be laughable. When my awesome sister-in-law talked about her family following us to Land o’ Legos, Aub’s clever friend said, “Okay, but we have to make a stop first.”
I looked at her, puzzled for a moment. She continued. “You know. The fire station.”
Y’all. I nearly busted my seams laughing. Out. Loud.
That was a good one right there, I tell you what. And true.
I was thinking about this as I drove home in the suffocating heat this afternoon. We all get off on the wrong foot sometimes. Headed in the wrong direction. Sometimes that’s just what we need. A place, a safe place, to collect ourselves, redirect, and set off again on the right path–in the right direction. As I drove, I was thinking about where that place is for me, metaphorically speaking, where I go to regroup and redirect when I find myself headed down a dead-end road or feel like I’m lost. For me it’s a person. One whom I love and trust who will listen and help me find my way again–who will help me get better directions that I can follow this next time.
Any idea where or who that is for you? I’d love to hear.
Wishing you all good directions and a place to go when you need to turn around. Love to all.
I Might Need A Nap 