Commute

The word evokes countless hours sitting in a car, behind the wheel, making sure to not get too close to the car ahead of me or hearing the zooming noise of cars speeding by me. Streets, highways, roads, traffic lights, pedestrians, cops… the only pleasant commute I had before was with my car pool buddies. I still miss them and miss our profound conversations, racist jokes, quiet rides, even naps and of course, our breakfast sandwiches study and the never ending bets about roadworks and the construction of the bridge. We used to laugh so much.

Then for a while, a dull, unpleasant commute that got worse and worse every time. Once I was stuck in a 5 block distance for one hour and a half. Being late to work and then being called on it, made it even worse. Why was I even trying? Ultimately I guess it boiled down to hating where I was going, place of poison, disrespect and little to no personal reward. I even described it as a jail sentence sometime, as a hellhole when things went even more wrong.

But things change and with the arrival of Spring and a much better destination in so many ways, my commute is pleasant, filled with views of snow-capped mountains, blue ocean shores, interminable fields, eagles flying or perched on majestic treetops, seagulls diving for the morning catch, crows gathering along the fence, patches of fog floating around and giving an ethereal look to a mundane highway with the backdrop of the perfect sunrise or a most colourful sunset.

I do happen to live in one of the most beautiful corners of the world, after all. And I guess that I am also fortunate to finally, seemingly, have found a balance in my life because I love to commute to work and I also love to commute back home to the family that makes my life whole.