On the Parents and the Sculpture Trails

When I was younger I was a very independent child. I did not much care for the structure of family vacation or for structure in general. To say I was petulant would be a kind way to express the true nature of my character.

To much of my mother's duress, I used to be difficult to drag out of bed, when, on vacations, everybody would want to sightsee, I would rather spend my days sleeping and relaxing. In truth I was mostly content in being a contrarian to most of my parents requests.

Age had a way of equalizing my wayward ways, and this was certainly true two weeks ago.

One Saturday, I was sitting in my parent's house and I had just arrived from the Greene-Sullivan State Forest after taking a variety of photos. I mentioned that I was planning on going to the Sculpture Trails the following day, because I have never been. My mother instantly piped in, "I've always wanted go! Do you mind if I ride with you?"

I replied I would be more than happy to have her join me.

The following day, the sun was nestled high in the sky, and we set off to Solsberry. In truth, this was my first trip to Solsberry, and I had no idea what to expect, but the rolling hills and tall budding trees provided a beautiful scenery as I barreled down the road.

Something changed with that ride -- my mother and I had a conversation. I am not meaning to imply that my mother and I have never had a conversation, but I think it was one of the first times I realized the concept of parents can transcend to a friendship. This was the first time I noticed this.

After noon we reached the Sculpture Trails and decided to walk the entire perimeter. During this walk I learned many things about my mother I guess I never knew...her love of art and the abstract and the plans for the future. What I also noticed is a fault in the myth many children have with their parents, the fact that they are human. Generally, many people like to hold in regard that their parents actually had lives before they were born. I learned about my mother's life after college and before she met father...how she thought her life would turn out and her surprise to how it actually turned out.

We walked for many hours and enjoyed a very talkative ride back home, but that day will always hold a certain precedence in my mind when I now think of my mother.

Grant is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at (812) 847-4487, ext. 19. He can also be reached via email at gkarazsia@gmail.com.