Pelting down rain, fog, stubborn patches of ice.
“Mom, are you sure you want to drive in this?”
“Of course. I’ll pick you up early though, with this weather and rush hour, it could be miserable.”
“Sounds good, see you soon.”
“How did we manage this? We’re forty-five minutes early. You said you needed to stop at a grocery store after your appointment. Perhaps we have time.”
I sit and think. Where is the closest store, that we can accomplish my son’s errand and still be back in time for his appointment. I do my best not to be lured into sabotage, so I need to be honest, that it isn’t possible. I tend to do this – squeeze one more thing in and then early turns into late. In all my thinking, I’ve lost five minutes.
“Mom, lets not. We can sit and take the time for some quality conversation.”
How does this happen. When did he get so wise? I take a breath and I surrender to his suggestion and let go of my brain that is over thinking possible routes to grocery stores and still convincing myself that it is a good idea, when my more evolved self is shaking its head, sending me messages of, “Sharon let go, sit and breathe and forget the damn errand”.
Cody, knowing I’m still in my head, doesn’t need me to agree. He’s already launched into his quality chat. He tells me that he’s been painting again and how good it feels. He’s describing his projects and how immersed he’s become. The colours he’s using, the technique, the appearance of his creation. I can tell he’s pleased with himself, he’s enthused, he’s happy. His family is amazed. Knowing someone’s creative is one thing, but watching them be so engaged and seeing the realization of someone’s imagination is something you can share in. His children are excited for him and proud of their Dad. It’s not just for what he’s accomplishing, it’s also for the spark of energy in him they get to witness.
The forty-five minutes had evaporated and it was time for his appointment. 
I left him to attend to his errand, that I couldn’t squeeze in before.
I kept thinking of what I could have chosen for us. Rushing, tension, stress. Instead we had time for him to share something of himself with me.
Time.
Sometimes so busy trying to fill it, so we can look back on it with a list of to do’s transforming into done’s. We don’t allow the gaps, the empty minutes that offer us the opportunity to fill themselves with moments that are about quality rather than quantity.
Again, when did he get so wise?
Art by; Cody Goodspeed