Week 9: Nissan Skyline GT R34

This is a car made for speed.

Children, however, are not (made for speed).

They're fast all right, especially when running dripping wet from taking a bath or tearing off down the driveway when you turn your back, but they are not built for speed in terms of allowing parents to do anything speedily -- say, get somewhere on time.

"On time" is an adult concept -- To Racer A (almost 4) and Bubba G (18 months) being awake equals being on time. Even if they are looking forward to going someplace, like a playground, that time thing doesn't call the shots. Being alive is being on time.

The other day I was attempting to get out of the house to drive my son to pre-school (we were not going to be driving a Nissan Skyline GT, however). The leaves dropped from the trees and it had rained, so everything was soaking.

"Ready to go?" I ask.
"Yes, Daddy," Racer A answers, barefoot.
"Where are your socks?"
"In my room."
"You need to wear them," I patiently say.
"Oh, I'll wear sandals."
"No, it is cold and wet. Go get your socks on."
"I don't know where they are."
"You just said they were in your room."
"Oh, yeah. Can you get them? I can't reach them."
[Daddy gets socks - Racer A begins to put on socks.]
"Daddy, listen to this new beat I learned." [Racer A begins to beat box]
"That is a good beat, but we really have to get going, okay?"
"Okay. These socks feel weird. Can you fix them?" [Daddy fixes weird socks]
Can I have yogurt?"

... random questions and diversions continue until we both have on coats and shoes and are walking out the door.

"Okay, let's get in the ..." [Daddy looks for Racer A, who has disappeared. Hears mushy, splashy, leafy sounds.

"Daddy look at all the leaves! They're WET!!!"

[Daddy rushes to scoop up Racer A before leaves have adequate opportunity to transfer all their wetness to the eager preschooler.  Hears creaking door like from an old black and white mystery movie and paddling sound, then mushy, splashy, leafy sounds. Had not completely latched door and Bubba G had escaped, in his pajamas. Has wet leaves on his head.]


I repeat. Being alive is being on time.

The Nissan Skyline might be racing all fast and furious or getting to a place quickly, but maybe sometimes it is just driving to drive -- it's all life -- the race is every second.

Maybe that's not such a bad way to be.

For more on Racer A, check out my other blog, ThoughtBubbling.

Photo of my Hot Wheels Nissan Skyline GT courtesy of Phil Pekarcik.

Nisaan Skyline GT (R34) Number 7 of Hot Wheels 2010 New Models. Hot Wheels and Matchbox are registered trademarks of Mattel, Inc.