Slow But Steady

While following the oversized white pick-up track down Route 55 towards the edge of town, it was difficult to maintain my composure. Before I even got to town, my patience was tested as the truck chugged up the hilly two-lane road and then accelerated every chance it could as gravity pulled it downhill – towards the speed limit.  #

Coming back to Front Royal is a reminder of the slow but steady lifestyle. It’s a lifestyle of simplicity – in some ways – and complication and drama in so many other ways. First example, as soon as you enter the one pizza place in town – keep it simple – you are almost certain to run into the one person you did not want to see – drama. #

However, as I sat down today at the one coffee shop in town – keeping it simple again – I encountered a family that was just passing through town, on their way to destination NOT Front Royal. The middle-aged couple, joined me at my table with their college-aged daughter and son, or in other terms, their children that were overly excited to join their high school friends in drinking shenanigans as soon as they made it to destination NOT Front Royal. #

As they pushed their chairs in and walked away wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving, I realized I had just witnessed normalcy in Front Royal. The family of four offered their thanks to the Lord before their meal, then began to delight each other in simple conversation about their lives and plans for the evening. Afterwards, like normal 20-somethings, the kids jumped on their cell phones and offered to meet the family outside (code for hurry up mom and dad!).  #

All of this occurred by chance today, right in front of me, because I offered up my table to the family. I can’t help but think it was a simple reminder that it’s not always a bad thing to be stuck behind a slow truck. Taking your time and enjoying the simple life can be eye-opening at times. #