While she’s been enjoying college and playing lacrosse, she’s really been looking forward to coming home. She plays it cool, but admitted that she’s been homesick. She wanted her own bed, her house, HEB, barbecue, and her boyfriend.
Elise, Maly, Jared, Mara and I went to the Salt Lick on Friday night. Elise and I couldn’t remember the last time we’d be there; I think the last time was before Mara was born. It was nice to go back there. It wasn’t crowded. There wasn’t a line. Our waiter was great. The food was great. We all got to talk, and we just had a nice time.
I think my favorite part was the drive out to Driftwood. And I reminded Maly of it. Her very first job was at Vista Brewing, which is out in Driftwood. She got that job right before she got her driver license and I used to drive her to and from work. And even after she got her license, and after she got her first car, I’d still drive her to and from work because we were nervous about her driving on 1826 at night. It’s a narrow, two-land farm-to-market road, and Driftwood has a lot of breweries and vinyards, and Maly just didn’t have enough driving experience at the time. And she didn’t seem to mind the ride to work.
While our house is on the outskirts of southwest Austin and close to Driftwood, it’s still a bit of a drive out into the “country.” It reminds me of growing up in Cat Spring and commuting into Bellville for school or work or Tae Kwon Do when I was in high school.
Often times the ride to work or home was mostly quiet, but it was time that she and I had together. I don’t know if she remembers or cares as much as I do, but those are good memories for me. I fondly remember the cool, dark Fall evening drive, especially when I was on my way to pick her up from work. I think it was on those drives that I would try to come to terms with the fact that life was happening fast. One day you’re holding your baby in your arms and she needs you more than anything else in the world. And the next thing you know, she has a job and you try to help her navigate having a job and money and bosses and coworkers, and creeping up from the back of your mind is the notion that she’ll move out one day and start a life on her own.
And you can’t help but hope she knows that you gave it your absolute best, and as much as it hurts that she’ll have to move on and make a life of her own, she will always have home.
Nicely said, and so true! And, despite the sadness of having one of your little birds leaving the nest, you also have to be glad inside that she is capable of striking out on her own. It means you and Elise did a good job of giving her the tools and confidence to make that move. You’re right, she’ll always have a home — an anchor from which to test the waters of life.
As for Salt Lick, maybe we could patronize it again when we’re there at Christmas.
(See above)