The Wisdom of Backseat Conversations By Pennie Hunt

It began when they were very young. I would put them in car seats in the back seat of my car to take them to daycare, or to my house. As the years progressed, it was trips for ice cream, to school, and yes, to my house.
 
Even before they could talk, I would talk to them. I would teach them songs. “How Much is that Doggie in the Window” was a fan favorite. They would add the ‘woof, woof’ at just the perfect time. 
 
Then it was more difficult, and popular songs like holiday carols and top hits from the radio. As the repertoire grew, so did they. 
 
In between songs, there were long, enlightening conversations. I learned about their day, their thoughts, and their secrets. I learned about their worries,​ dreams, and ideas on life. 
 
I called them backseat conversations. This is how I learned my granddaughter wanted to be a singer when she was three. She demonstrated her talent with her off-key, squeaky voice. I smiled and said her song was beautiful.
 
Over the years, I’ve learned the proper names of dinosaurs, what Taylor Swift’s Easter eggs are, and what day is the best school lunch day. 
 
In a recent backseat conversation, my grandson was telling me about his grades and which chair he sits in for his section of his school band. I asked him if it is competitive with his brother and friends to have the best grades or sit in the first chair in band. 
His response amazed me. He said, “No, it’s not a competition. It is more like cheering for each other on our journey to succeed.”
What? He isn’t even in high school yet, and that is what he came up with…cheering for each other on their journey to success!
 
These backseat conversations have taught me lessons on so many levels. It is amazing what you can learn when you are confined to the space of a car with no phones in hand, deeply talking. And most importantly, deeply listening. 
 
What if the world weren’t so competitive and we made it a practice to cheer for each other, no matter what path we walk or what journey we decide to take?
 
Now that they are older, the backseat conversations have turned to explanations of how you code a video game, what college they plan to attend, and who they want to go to a dance with. These kids are smarter today than I was at their age… or maybe smarter than I am today. I will admit that at times, they talk about something or use a technical term that I research later to understand what it means.
 
Time goes fast. These conversations have become meaningful memories embedded in my heart and mind. At times, I look in my rear-view mirror and see the face in my back seat. Not the face of the grown young person who is sharing their wisdom, but I see the face of the toddlers with so many questions, so much to share, and wisdom to learn.
 
And by the way, that 3-year-old with the off-key voice that wanted to sing is now singing solos in her high school choir.
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                                                   Pennie’s Life Lesson
                        Never discount what you hear in quiet conversations.
                                             It may be wisdom in disguise.
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​YOUR TURN...        
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