Maybe it’s a Minnesota thing, but as drivers, we typically give a quick two-finger wave when we pass cars on our country roads. It’s called the “rural wave” (you can read about it at that link).
For me, this waving started at a very young age on road trips with my brothers and our Mom and Dad. My brothers and I would always wave at people in the cars we passed, hoping to get them to wave back. We’d get so excited when someone waved back at us! Next to trying to get semi drivers to pull their horns, waving was like a game, and it kept us busy the entire length of the drive.
What a nice feeling!
This morning I went to town to pick up a couple of my curb-side orders from local stores. On my way out of town I got behind a large station wagon that had those old-fashioned wing windows open in the back (remember those?). There were four little kids riding in the seat that faces backwards, and they were all waving at me like crazy. I grinned from ear-to-ear – picturing my three brothers and I when we were kids – and waved back at them as if I were a little kid again. They all cheered excitedly when I waved. It was absolutely delightful to hear them, and it made me laugh!
They pulled ahead of me at a stop sign, and then turned into a parking lot – but as I passed them one last time, I stuck my arm out the window and gave them a big ol’ wave and a goofy face. As I drove away I could hear them all cheering and laughing. Little did they know, in this time of “social distancing” – they had just made my day!
Maybe all the people that waved back at my brothers and I all those years ago felt the same way I did today. It was a great feeling! It made my heart feel good and I’ve been smiling all day as a result.
When You’re Out And About…
Next time you’re out and about and you see one or more kids in a car, give them a smile and a wave! They might wave back at you, and if they do, I know it will make you smile and feel good. And I bet those kids will enjoy it, too!
Did you ever do this as a kid? Tell me your experience!
