It started with a trip to Dallas
To see a preacher.
He had just starred in a cowboy movie that we were obsessed with.
My Mom wanted to take us to meet him in person.
His upcoming event filled with family activities was a perfect opportunity to go.
My Dad couldn’t make it, so I was the co-pilot.
We packed up.
I got my highlighted maps ready and we headed southwest.
Our fun family road trip took a turn for the worse…
The brakes went out in New Jersey.
We flew through the toll booth at what seemed like a bazillion miles per hour.
Our trip was over.
My Dad, the mechanic, drove like mad to rescue us and fix the brakes like a NASCAR pit dude.
And then he said the words that I’ll always remember and never expected: “Keep going.”
Because, you see, he knew that turning around would be the easy thing; that most people would play it safe.
But more than that, he knew the experiences we’d get to have together, the memories we’d get to create… if only we kept on going.
I saw my Mother’s face turn from stressed and overwhelmed to joy and happiness in an instant.
Once in a while, I wonder what would have happened if we had turned around.
First we wouldn’t have the inside joke of “brake checks” on long highway trips.
We wouldn’t have stopped at Casey Jones Village and had a nice country breakfast that I am still reminded of when I make bacon, eggs, toast and coffee 27 years later.
We wouldn’t have stopped for a roadside photo in Texarkana.
We wouldn’t have gotten a tour of the original Cowboy Stadium, sat in Jerry’s box, took pictures with the cheerleaders, and threw a touchdown to my brother on the field.
We wouldn’t have seen the beautiful city lights of Dallas as the sun was setting.
We wouldn’t have camped underneath the stars and found out that Texas can be just as cold as night as it is hot during the day.
We wouldn’t have heard our favorite preacher and cowboy teach us about joy, true freedom and the uncompromising love of Jesus Christ.
I wouldn’t have learned one of the most important principles of all: Keep going.
So my advice to you… even if you’re feeling a bit broken down along the side of the road: Keep going.
And if you’re in need of a pit dude, email me. I can help.