GREYHAIRLADYSPEAKSOUT

Sometimes the best prayers are whispered behind the wheel carried by sunlight, laughter, and the scent of hot coffee on a winding road.

The Joy of the Open Road
Where memories ride in the rear view, hot coffee warms the soul, and God leads every mile ahead.

The Call of the Open Highway
There’s something deeply healing about a road trip, the rhythm of the tires, the open sky stretching wide, and the soft hum of music blending with the steady beat of your own heart.
Maybe it’s the freedom of it all, or maybe it’s just that space between destinations, where your thoughts are your only passengers and peace has room to sit quietly beside you.

Hot Coffee & Holy Ground
I never hit the road without plenty of hot coffee, the kind that warms your hands before it ever reaches your heart. A fresh cup at dawn feels like a prayer in motion.
I’ve learned that good coffee and good company, even if it’s just God riding shotgun, can turn any stretch of highway or back country roads into holy ground.

“Good coffee, good company, and God riding shotgun, the perfect recipe for any journey.”

Adventure, Detours, and Pie
When I was younger, road trips were pure adventure, a quick escape, a family visit, a weekend that stretched into something memorable. A thermos of coffee, a good playlist, and a vague sense of direction were all I needed.

Then came the surprises: a dusty antique shop in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town, or a café serving pie so good it deserved a national award.
The journey itself, I realized, was as sweet as the destination.

The Road Through Life
Not every trip has been carefree. Some were heavier, driving to sit with a parent nearing the end of life, crossing state lines for difficult goodbyes, or packing bags for weddings and births.

Life has taught me that every road, whether it leads to joy or sorrow, becomes part of the story God is writing in us.

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6

Looking Back, Moving Forward
Now, I’m about finished packing for another road trip, one that feels tender and full of anticipation. I’ll revisit my old neighborhood, where roots run deep and memories still wave from front porches.

And then there are those magical moments that make you pinch yourself for gratitude, sitting on the front porch with the girls, a glass of wine in hand, the evening sun painting everything golden, and laughter spilling freely like it has nowhere else to go. We talk about everything and nothing all at once, remembering the mischief, the milestones, and the quiet victories we’ve celebrated together over the years. There’s something indescribably sacred about friendship, these incredible women (ok, and their husbands) who have become family, who know your heart without explanation, and who make even the simplest moments sparkle with joy. It’s a reminder that God’s blessings sometimes arrive in the form of giggles, shared secrets, and the steady, unwavering presence of friends who have walked the roads of life with you.

There will be laughter, stories retold for the hundredth time, and hugs that last longer than words. Old friends who became family, they’re treasures you can never replace.

And then, once the catching up is done, I’ll drive a little farther down the road to spend time with the special man in my life. There’s a flutter in my heart even as I write that, because after all these years, I’m still learning that love can surprise you when you least expect it.

Butterflies landing as I draw nearer my Seventh Decade
Then comes the part that makes me giggle out loud, meeting his parents.
How many people nearing their seventh decade get this chance? Suddenly, I’m worrying about my hair, my shoes, and whether I’ll say something goofy, all feelings I haven’t had since I was a teenager.

It’s a delightful kind of nervousness, the good kind, the kind that reminds you you’re alive. I’ve lived, loved, lost, and learned… yet here I am, feeling like a giggling teenager all over again.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

God’s Sense of Humor
God really does have a sense of humor. He lets us revisit feelings we thought were long gone, the butterflies, the blushing, and the eager anticipation, all to show us that joy doesn’t have an age limit.

This season of life feels like a road I didn’t plan to take, full of beauty only God could arrange, laughter bubbling up unexpectedly, grace filling quiet moments, and the sweet reminder that the heart can always begin again.

Ready for the Next Mile
So, as I pack my bags, fill the gas tank, check the oil, and cue up my favorite playlist, I’m ready. Somewhere between the old highways, back country roads and new destinations, I’ll be thanking God for every mile, for laughter behind me, love beside me, and promise ahead.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”  Isaiah 43:19

Author’s Note:
Every journey across miles or through seasons of the heart, invites us to rediscover grace. Sometimes it’s found in laughter, sometimes in silence, and sometimes in the warmth of a cup of coffee shared with someone who makes the miles sweeter.

Wherever your road leads, may you travel it with gratitude, faith, and the quiet joy of knowing God is guiding each turn.

With love and faith,
Marie

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