Lifestyle: when you don’t drive there any more….

Self-tutoring about life changes: the tutor reflects….

This morning was a bit jarring, as Tuesday mornings can be. My older son had an early class, so I was up at 6:30am to get the kids’ breakfast, pack their lunches, etc. Some people certainly get up earlier, but after a late night workout, it was early enough, put it that way.

After dropping everyone off, I had some errands to run downtown. The way it worked out, I found myself driving there via Alder.

Nowadays, I seldom travel Alder north of Robron. As I climbed the hill to the Merecroft 4-way, I started to feel different. Continuing south, I crossed Second, then passed the outdoor pool. I realized my subconscious mind thought I was heading to Phoenix.

My younger son finished at Phoenix last June; he’s with my elder at Carihi now. Yet, of course, this time last year, driving to Phoenix was still a habit, and had been for years. Alder was my preferred route. As I drove by 7th, my other self wanted to turn left, as if James was in the car, waiting to be dropped off at the Phoenix parking lot. The intersection, in the gray December morning, looked so familiar, as if nothing has changed….

My errands downtown, however, were unfamiliar. Rather, they were dropping off this and picking up that, none of which was routine. Some things I bought, we didn’t even buy last year. Yet, lifestyles change, eating habits change, etc.

Sometimes, when a change happens, you embrace the new normal, but forget the old. When you’re somehow reminded how life used to be, it’s easy to fall back into that reality for a second, before you realize it’s over now and why.

Sometimes I find it sad to admit when a part of life is over, even if it’s due to progress:)