SLOW YOUR ALREADY HERE

“SLOW YOUR ALREADY HERE,” the sign read as I drove by for well over the 100th time. Despite its grammatical imperfection, which would usually drive me crazy, this sign always acted as a reminder to me there are more important things in life than perfection. This sign meant the family vacation was really about to start. We were about to lose cell phone signal, the GPS would cut off, and maybe we would get lucky and have some radio signal, but eventually that would turn to static. “Slow your already here” means shared chores, card games, and conversations with no distractions… well none other than nature. It means enjoying the jackasses you’re with rather than just texting them or sharing a five minute rushed convo about "life." It’s enjoying the smell of the outdoors in the morning and listening to the birds and chipmunks as coffee perks. It’s the snap of twigs and crinkle of leaves beneath our feet as we walk. It’s the loud crack causing everyone to turn, making sure it's not a bear... but really just someone using their knee to crack a branch to place in the stove’s fire. It’s catching up and having to describe what you saw because Facebook photos aren’t at the ready. It’s having to show how you felt because we can see it in your face and hear it in your voice as you talk. It’s a reminder the world is beautiful when we look up from a screen. Too often we take it for granted. It’s remembering a simple time. “Slow your already here.” It’s a reminder, it’s okay to drive the speed limit and enjoy the ride. It’s a reminder it’s not just the destination but the journey. To pull over and take pictures when you find something pretty. So slow down, enjoy the moment, stop when you want to, and enjoy everyone and everything around you.