2019, Day 12: By the Wayside

While dad's on the lam, what does mom do?

Does she...

Sit around longingly waiting for dad to come back?

Maybe.

Listen to books until her ears bleed?

Probably.

Fret about dad's safety as he barrels down narrow shoulders of highway, sharing pavement with drivers who view speed limits as "More of a guideline, anyway...?"

You bet your buttons.

Still, she's got to do SOMETHING.

2019 has been a year for scenic routes. Statues of Tall Tales, statues of enormous fish, Native American statues, large statues incorrectly marking the geographical center of the United States, small statues more accurately marking the geographical center of the United States, huge bridges made of concrete that are just very useful statues, and Mom's back, which is also now a statue from sitting in a car for indeterminate periods.

Every once in a while, though, Mom comes across a wayside park. Here, she can get out and stretch her legs, take advantage of public plumbing and hand sanitizer, admire local vegetation, and wait out the riding. They make for great relief, and better pictures.

This may be the best photo mom's ever taken. She could mod-podge it and sell it on Etsy.

After her breaks are over, she good-naturedly climbs back into the car and drives some more to meet dad at the next checkpoint.

So, for all the longsuffering wifely duties, the car waiting, the leap-frogging, the oh-my-aching-back-ing, the endless audiobooks, and for sitting by the wayside; for keeping dad alive, safe, fueled, mostly-dry (or at least in stock of dry clothes to change into), rested, and occasionally massaged back into working condition:

this one's for you, mom. Happy Birthday! We made the text extra big.

We love you!