'The Road' by Benjamin D. Bain

Often I find myself comparing life on the road, to the road of life. It has its twists and turns, ups and downs, fast times, and slow times. The road is a place to hide, as well as a place to be found. A comfort place, a compliant place. Complacent and creative.

Once it’s in you, it never leaves. You are a roadie for life.

You meet many people on the road of life. You learn from one and teach another. Some you forget to call, some you forget entirely, and others that will stay with you forever. A series of hellos and goodbyes.

It’s tough. If you weren’t there, you wouldn’t understand. The road is truly addictive. It’s a vice. It’s a way of life. A sacrifice, but stimulating. A struggle, but satisfying.

You never know where the road might take you. Sometimes there are detours or accidents, bad weather or U-turns for no reason. Other times there are tolls or as my father says, “speed-bumps in the road to make you slow down and let you know that you are going to fast.”

The road is a complicated place. If you don’t stay focused, you will lose track. You might take the wrong exit. But let it be known here and now, that anytime, and I mean ANY-TIME you go the wrong way, you are guaranteed to see something that you didn’t know was there. A path less traveled. You will one day be thankful that you went the wrong way.

Often I find myself comparing life on the road, to the road of life. As a seventy-eight year old Cajun taxi driver in Louisiana once told me:

“Life will never be the way you would have it designed to be.
It’s a challenge.”

- March 20, 2007