Whatever happened to the Sunday drive? Do you remember those days? Packing up the family for a leisurely spin around town on a Sunday afternoon?
My three siblings and I are all four years apart, so it was rare when we did something together — especially in a car. My Sunday drives were usually just my dad and me, and it often involved ice cream. We would drive around in his Oldsmobile with a couple of vanilla cones, and he would point out what’s new and what’s old and what life was like in his youth. I enjoyed that time with my dad, until my teenage years when doing anything with parents was no longer cool.
I tried to implement the Sunday drive with my wife and kids, but to no avail — not even with ice cream. The only exception was driving to look at Christmas lights with a round of hot chocolate for everyone. So, what changed?
Well, the cost of gasoline in decades prior was miniscule compared to today. Driving around was cheap entertainment then.
Like many people during the time, my parents and grandparents didn’t drive very often. As such, getting in the car and going for the Sunday drive was a treat rather than the tedious taxi-cab service so many parents feel like they are providing today.
We also seem to be in a big hurry now, rushing from one event or activity to another. That wasn’t the case just a few decades ago. The pace was much slower on the weekends, even peaceful. Going 5 mph less than the speed limit now often prompts honking horns, dirty looks and offensive sign language.
A few years ago, I heard a pastor address his thoughts on why fewer people were attending church services. The primary factor, in his opinion, was that youth sports activities are scheduled on Sundays. He may be right. Scheduling anything on Sundays — other than going to church, having your cousins over for dinner, and watching “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” on TV — was considered taboo in years past. Sunday was a time to be spent with faith and family, and that was it.
So with all this in mind, I challenge you to take a page out of the past and venture out on a peaceful Sunday drive. And don’t forget the ice cream.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707