Today, I’ll be in a car for about 9 hours as The B99 and I head north with family to see our nephew graduate from high school tonight.

It’ll be a long day, but the kind of long day that has the best payoff — hugs, smiles, and tears with family.

Long roads are best traveled with family and to see family.

They’re a great place to learn. We’re currently listening to a book I’ve listened to before, God On Mute, and that I’m happily listening to again.

Long roads are sometimes filled with questions, some of which may never be answered. Where did that guy get his driver’s license, and why didn’t they teach him how to merge into traffic?

Long roads test our patience. While being stopped for road work, the driver in front of us got tired of waiting, and peeled off, tires screeching. Where are the cops when you need them?

Finally, if you drive on a long road long enough, it will cost you something. For us, it was tolls and gas. For others, it could be a flat tire, or car repairs. But why would we ever expect to enjoy the destination without being willing to pay the cost to get there?

For my final post in this month of posting every day, may I simply remind you that all of us are traveling a long road? We all need family with us, all have lessons that need to be learned and patience that needs to be tested, and we’ll all find ourselves digging for quarters as we approach the toll booth.

For those who have journeyed this month-long writing challenge with me, thank you. Your comments, social media shares, and kind words in local coffee shops make me want to keep writing.

And so, I will. After all, we’re not yet at our destination, and the long road still stretches out before us. My greatest honor, if you would grant it, would be knowing that my words — simple as they may be — could be part of what helps guide you home.