I never had that desire to get older. In fact, I dreaded the idea. Each additional year does bring a heaviness, with more responsibility and more work to be done.
Interestingly, the way back to experiencing some of the freedom of youth for me was becoming a parent. Children have a way of unleashing the inner child in all of us, and it feels amazing when it happens.
Thank you so much, Randy! You prompted me to reflect on what I want for this next chapter of my life (on starting family, what motherhood means to me, raising a child). I suppose this comes with approaching my 30s. I appreciate your thoughtful comment
I love, love, loved this essay so much. The first sentence made me think of my firsr stallion—a pearly pale green Mazda 626 that I bought for $2000 with my savings.
The pacing and the prose here are beautiful, and serve as the perfect canvas for your reflection on youth.
Happy Birthday dear Rach! I’m so glad our lives have crossed paths and are now intertwined by the joint purpose of experiencing life through pen and paper. Wishing you many more years of joy, health, love, and inspired writing.
Beautiful, beautiful piece, Rach! It made me go back in time and think of all the key moments of my own youth, each one enriched by a different song or piece of music. Great, evocative essay.
Amazed at how we were shaped by similar bands and envious I missed the opportunity of naming a car "Death Cab for Cutie"! Haha but seriously, so great to ride alongside with you in those moments Rachael, enjoyed your great musings on youth and growing up, with a great reminder to sometimes stop and do some rerouting!
Thank you, Oscar! Your feedback was so helpful. I often think of certain songs as a soundtrack to life. Now that sounds like a cool Oscar essay topic -- soundtracks :)
Happy birthday! As it so happens I am literally road-tripping UP the California coast with my youngest kid. Travel memories are so vivid and enduring, reference points for adventure, connection, transition, growth. You always do such a good job weaving a metaphor or theme into your reflections and this brought up a lot of happy travel memories for me having done a LOT of roadtrips in my life, not to mention having moved 36 times. (I think we might have stopped precisely where your picture was taken from!)
Rick, I hope you and your youngest had a wonderful roadtrip up the California coast. I can only imagine all the stories you have about being on the road. And 36 times?! You're a man on the move. I appreciate your kind notes. Thank you!
Such an elegant capture of nostalgia, Rach! I absolutely love how the journey you take us on throughout your life feels like we’re getting to go on a drive ourselves. Beautiful piece. And happy belated birthday :)
So beautiful, you really took me along for the ride. I loved the lyrics you weaved and found myself thinking about what cars I’ve found myself in over the past few years. Happy Birthday!!
Thank you, Michelle! I love the feeling of when a song comes on and it fits the moment perfectly. Like how you felt when Unwritten came on :) The universe just clicks into place
Love this essay Rachel!!! I love reading your memories with your friends in different cars. I feel like I'm there with you guys. Also, had that same magical cassette tape to audio jack contraption in my car haha I'm still amazed at how that thing worked in the first place lol
Really resonating with this: "If life is one long road trip, I wish I could make a U-Turn and relive the earlier legs of the drive. As a kid, I couldn’t wait to get my license & a car, pick up my friends, and blast our favorite pop punk CDs. I couldn’t wait to grow up and go wherever the hell we wanted to go. Oh, how I miss those days."
"I’m my own cartographer designing the map as I go. I’ll keep driving forward, singing along to a never-ending playlist of new favorite songs. And I’ll make sure to bring a friend or two or a few along for the ride."
You looped back perfectly. I love how this came out. <3
Your feedback iss so helpful. I'm amazed - your comments ignite this glittery, whimsical spark in my brain. It's magical! Are you a wizard, Sandra? 🧙🏼♀️
I never had that desire to get older. In fact, I dreaded the idea. Each additional year does bring a heaviness, with more responsibility and more work to be done.
Interestingly, the way back to experiencing some of the freedom of youth for me was becoming a parent. Children have a way of unleashing the inner child in all of us, and it feels amazing when it happens.
Loved this essay!
Thank you so much, Randy! You prompted me to reflect on what I want for this next chapter of my life (on starting family, what motherhood means to me, raising a child). I suppose this comes with approaching my 30s. I appreciate your thoughtful comment
I love, love, loved this essay so much. The first sentence made me think of my firsr stallion—a pearly pale green Mazda 626 that I bought for $2000 with my savings.
The pacing and the prose here are beautiful, and serve as the perfect canvas for your reflection on youth.
Happy Birthday dear Rach! I’m so glad our lives have crossed paths and are now intertwined by the joint purpose of experiencing life through pen and paper. Wishing you many more years of joy, health, love, and inspired writing.
Thank you for the your kind note, CMS (are okay with this acronym?) A Mazda is a great first car. Even better that you bought it with your savings.
You've certainly inspired my writing. Right on, write on!
I’m not too keen on it (feels corporaty). But you like acronyms you can use CAMS if you want (the A is for Andrés) 🙂
Beautiful, beautiful piece, Rach! It made me go back in time and think of all the key moments of my own youth, each one enriched by a different song or piece of music. Great, evocative essay.
And Happy Birthday!
The Semi-Serious View inspired me to bring out the musical elements in this piece :) Thank you, Silvio!
Amazed at how we were shaped by similar bands and envious I missed the opportunity of naming a car "Death Cab for Cutie"! Haha but seriously, so great to ride alongside with you in those moments Rachael, enjoyed your great musings on youth and growing up, with a great reminder to sometimes stop and do some rerouting!
Thank you, Oscar! Your feedback was so helpful. I often think of certain songs as a soundtrack to life. Now that sounds like a cool Oscar essay topic -- soundtracks :)
Love that!! Both the soundtrack to life, and the suggestion of the topic :)
Happy belated birthday Rachael :) Now I remember when to congrat you on 30th anniversarie in 2024! :D
Thank you, dear Helen! :-)
Happy birthday! As it so happens I am literally road-tripping UP the California coast with my youngest kid. Travel memories are so vivid and enduring, reference points for adventure, connection, transition, growth. You always do such a good job weaving a metaphor or theme into your reflections and this brought up a lot of happy travel memories for me having done a LOT of roadtrips in my life, not to mention having moved 36 times. (I think we might have stopped precisely where your picture was taken from!)
Rick, I hope you and your youngest had a wonderful roadtrip up the California coast. I can only imagine all the stories you have about being on the road. And 36 times?! You're a man on the move. I appreciate your kind notes. Thank you!
Such an elegant capture of nostalgia, Rach! I absolutely love how the journey you take us on throughout your life feels like we’re getting to go on a drive ourselves. Beautiful piece. And happy belated birthday :)
Thank you, G! Writing this piece was a reminder to write from love, not fear. Love breaks through the mental block.
So beautiful, you really took me along for the ride. I loved the lyrics you weaved and found myself thinking about what cars I’ve found myself in over the past few years. Happy Birthday!!
Thank you, Michelle! I love the feeling of when a song comes on and it fits the moment perfectly. Like how you felt when Unwritten came on :) The universe just clicks into place
Love this essay Rachel!!! I love reading your memories with your friends in different cars. I feel like I'm there with you guys. Also, had that same magical cassette tape to audio jack contraption in my car haha I'm still amazed at how that thing worked in the first place lol
Really resonating with this: "If life is one long road trip, I wish I could make a U-Turn and relive the earlier legs of the drive. As a kid, I couldn’t wait to get my license & a car, pick up my friends, and blast our favorite pop punk CDs. I couldn’t wait to grow up and go wherever the hell we wanted to go. Oh, how I miss those days."
Thank you, Liz! The cassette tape audio jack contraption seemed to work the best 😆 Bonus points if it was plugged into a classic iPod
"I’m my own cartographer designing the map as I go. I’ll keep driving forward, singing along to a never-ending playlist of new favorite songs. And I’ll make sure to bring a friend or two or a few along for the ride."
You looped back perfectly. I love how this came out. <3
Your feedback iss so helpful. I'm amazed - your comments ignite this glittery, whimsical spark in my brain. It's magical! Are you a wizard, Sandra? 🧙🏼♀️
Such an interesting travel through the years through those cars and songs! What a great concept, I really enjoyed reading. :)
Thank you for taking a trip with me, Jess :)
Beautiful.
Thanks Arman!