A New Chapter: An Empty Nest Mom’s Road Trip to Rediscover Youth

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Sometimes, you just need to hop in the car and hit the road—even if spontaneity feels like a distant memory. When my kids were little, I often viewed the future as something far off. But now, with my sons aged 22 and 20—one just finishing college and the other well into his junior year—I find myself experiencing time in smaller pieces, trying out new adventures as I adapt to this new phase of parenting.

Recently, while most parents were busy checking off school supply lists, my partner, Jake, and I decided on a whim to finally visit Santa Fe, a destination we’d talked about for ages. We carved out four and a half days to drive from Dallas, enjoy ourselves, and return. The motivation behind our trip was two-fold: to break out of our everyday routine and to celebrate my tenth year as a breast cancer survivor—coincidentally, the same day as my birthday.

As we departed the city and the traffic eased, the scenery outside transformed from mundane to breathtaking. The rhythm of the highway took over, and I found myself lost in thought—contemplating everything and nothing at the same time. We drove through the expansive plains of New Mexico until we reached Clovis, our planned stop, where we crossed from Central to Mountain Time. Watching the clock on my phone adjust was exhilarating; it felt like I could momentarily control the passage of time, slowing down my own journey through life.

After a restful night in Clovis, we were back on the road. I enjoyed snapping pictures, sharing snacks, and singing along to our favorite tunes—everything from the extended version of The Temptations’ “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” to nostalgic hits from Cat Stevens and Linda Ronstadt. The colorful freight trains that raced alongside us added to the adventure, their horns blaring as we passed.

Our conversations sometimes drifted into silence as we soaked in the beauty of the sky. By the time we arrived in Santa Fe on my birthday, we were a bit woozy from the altitude but still eager to explore. We wandered around, and aside from a spicy mishap with a chili pepper, it was a day filled with memorable moments.

That evening, while waiting for a table at a busy restaurant, I noticed a young couple struggling to manage their baby. They passed him back and forth, clearly worn out by the juggling act. I contemplated offering to help, but right then, the dad began blowing raspberries on the baby’s belly, which elicited delightful squeals. I glanced over at Jake, who wore that familiar nostalgic expression that parents of older kids get when they see little ones in action.

As the baby experienced his own mini-dramas—a dropped bottle, a little spit-up, and a tiny meltdown—his parents took turns comforting him, their love evident. When the dad apologized for the ruckus, I reassured him, “You’re doing great! No need to apologize.” The relief on the mom’s face reminded me of my own parenting journey, how we often feel scrutinized by others.

The next day, we spotted the mom again, this time fully engaged with her baby. It was heartwarming to witness her joy, that feeling of wonder that comes with new life. We chatted briefly before moving on, and it struck me how quickly life shifts from one stage to the next, especially in parenting.

Our trip continued with more exploration, delicious meals, and even a rainy drive to a flea market, where brief conversations with strangers felt like little gifts. On the journey back to Texas, we relished the calm once more, listening to an audiobook and sharing laughter over the storytelling. It’s funny how after 27 years together, we can still find humor in the same moments.

Driving through stretches of stunning landscapes made me realize how long it had been since I truly appreciated the world around me. Why hadn’t anyone told me to take a moment to breathe it all in?

This decade of my life has been a journey of discovering that age doesn’t equate to wisdom and that growing older can actually bring fresh opportunities to feel youthful. It’s all about adapting to the changes in life and embracing new experiences. My road trip reminded me of the joy of spontaneity and the importance of reconnecting with the child within. Thanks to Cat Stevens and his song “Oh Very Young,” I found renewed inspiration to be spontaneous and adventurous—because, as he sings, “You’re only dancing on this earth for a short while.”

In summary, taking time for ourselves, even as empty nesters, allows us to rediscover joy and spontaneity. This adventure led me to embrace the beauty of the present and the possibilities that lie ahead.

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