My daughter came over today to help me pack up my apartment, and I couldn’t stop staring at her. There’s a huge part of my life in her bright green eyes and long, slender hands, neither of which I passed down to her. Those eyes watched mine when I held her during infancy – they filled with tears on the first day of kindergarten – they sparkled with pride during open houses and math contests. My hands were the first she ever held. How many times did I watch her hands as she learned to hold a pencil, throw a softball, or put on mascara?
Today, I gave Elisabeth back her very first journal, in which she wrote loving tributes to unicorns, hamsters, and me. Well, except for the time we went to Circus-Circus. Apparently, I was a lot of fun that day — until I wasn’t. “When we got home, mom was a GROUCH! So I went to my room because she was very unpleasent.” Twenty years have passed, and I don’t remember that day at all, and she probably doesn’t either, but somehow I wish I could take it back. I prefer the time she was asked to write about her favorite hero in fourth grade and she wrote about me. What does your hero do, the teacher’s handout asked. “She takes bubbles baths and makes spaghetti,” my daughter answered.
At the time, I was managing the advertising of a major hotel-casino. One of the perks was free entertainment and dining, and I often took Elisabeth to see acts like David Copperfield, or to tennis matches, or to five-star restaurants. She wasn’t impressed with any of that as much as she was with bubbles and homemade meatballs.
Now she’s a woman, and sometimes it’s hard for me to grasp that. Sometimes it just hits me that — oh my God — I helped make a grown-up human being! I look at Elisabeth, and she looks so beautiful and complete, and so full of young energy, that it aches.
“You’re not going to cry, are you,” she asks whenever she sees that my heart has become overfull and my eyes have gotten misty.
“Of course not,” I always reply. But then, of course, I do.
*
I met Connie Burke on Twitter. She’s a social media manager for GM, and she’s as passionate about her job as I am about writing. She’s also the proud mother of two grown people. I approached GM because I knew from the blogosphere that they had done a lot to assist various networking events for women. Remarkably, when I explained my idea about embarking on a journey to gather stories about life in America today, Connie not only immediately understood its purpose, and how GM could play an important part in it, she understood me. She also understood women like Veronica, who said, “Joining you on this trip is a chance for all of us to wake up, to dream, to find our America, and to know that yes, we are strong enough, smart enough, brave enough to change.” Or Deb, who said, “I’m following you, step by step. As a 40-something with a sophomore in high school, I know well those feelings, and a hunger for a journey.” Or Laura: “You give me hope that my life as both middle-aged woman and mom can continue to grow and change and inspire.”
Having read my work, Connie also knew that I had been a loyal Ford driver for most of my adult life. “I want to change that,” she said bluntly. “I want you to experience our products, because I think once you do, you’re going to be very impressed.” From that statement, an idea was born – my journey will include test-driving as many makes and models of GMC/Chevy cars, trucks, and SUV’s as possible in the course of my year on the road. You all know how much I love to drive and how attached I get to my vehicles, so this will be very exciting for me. Will I become a GMC/Chevy convert? I don’t know. Connie made it clear that GM wants only my honest opinions about the vehicles I drive, and I wouldn’t be comfortable offering anything less, so this will an adventure within an adventure. A Storied Journey as well as A Test Drive Across the USA.
My adventure starts Monday with a GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid. I’ve never driven a hybrid before, and am curious how it will perform during the first leg of my journey, which includes a brief stop in Iowa, before heading to New Mexico, then Arizona. I have some wonderful people lined up to interview, and can hardly wait to begin!
My new website, Finding My America, is also launching on Monday. This site will automatically redirect to the new space, but I will have links available for those who’d like to read the archives here. I don’t think you’ll want to, though: the best stories are yet to come, and I don’t mean that in a clichéd, slogan-y kind of way. I plan on writing stories that matter – that have meaning to others – and that, when they’re put together as a whole, will really tell the story of life in America in a fresh way.
Bubbles and meatballs, my daughter once said. Today, for me, it’s not about a job, either. It’s much more personal. It’s about taking my passion for writing to the road, meeting people whose stories have not yet been told, and creating new ones of my own. It’s about connecting, evolving, changing, and blazing new trails.
All starting Monday! My bags are packed, my apartment is nearly empty, and that mist in my eyes? It’s not from sentiment, but pure happiness.
{ 34 comments }
Congratulations, Jane! AWESOME!
I’m so excited for you. And FINALLY a car company realized what an opportunity this is for THEM!! : )
Jane, I am so HAPPY for you! So excited to see/host you when you reach the Detroit area!
My favorite thing about travel is the people; those I leave behind, the ones I meet and, then the ones I again leave behind . . . they’ve enriched my life! You get to pass that on to us!
A perfect match for a very deserving woman. You’ve waited and dreamed and now, it begins. I can’t wait to share this fabulous adventure with you and your Posse. Carpe diem.
Jane, I have tears in my eyes too. Simply beautiful. I will be living vicariously through you on your journey, waiting and watching to help shape my own.
I’m so excited for you… for all of us! What a great adventure you are going on. I think it’s fabulous that GMC is supporting your efforts too! I look forward to reading your stories AND hearing how the hybrid rides because our next car will definitely be a hybrid. Bon Voyage Jane!
You can’t believe the smile on my face and the joy in my heart for you. Happy Trails
Hey Jane,
On the road-how exciting-
I lived in Taos, NM for 10 yrs-hope you stop there=most beautiful place on earth but lots of poverty too
Dear Jane,
This story brings tears to my eyes as well. For reasons I can articulate and some I cannot—-but feel like I will learn about these feelings through your journey.
Funny how we began to feel so close to people we meet via the internet. These past few months I have come to know a friend/comrade I never would have known had it not been for my computer and your wonderful writing skills.
And guess what? I’ve been a Ford gal my entire life—-but I feel a change in the winds. Yes I do. Good ol’ ’99 Ranger is getting traded in for that GMC Yukon Hybrid. We’ve been talking about a new vehicle, and this cinches the deal.
We’ll leave the light on for you.
So, did you plan to leave on Columbus Day? Seems fitting. The second discovery of America begins!
This GM news, your stories you have to tell, your adventures to come…simply awesome Jane. This is the next chapter of something very special.
Beautiful story, Jane. I too will be traveling vicariously with you on your journey. I’m so looking forward to those stories that will reconnect us to life in America in very unique way.
I am over the moon happy for you! How exciting. Can’t wait to read your adventures, state by state, town by town, unique story by unique story!
I think Connie’s idea was terrific, and I think while it may have taken another woman to “get” what you’re doing, your stories will appeal to many, at least if you get lots of publicity. More people need to read Jane Devin! I came here when Rosie put the link to the Elephant Girls story on her site, and I knew you had something special. I only wish more people knew the depths of your writing. Even your news stories have that indefinable something extra.
I’ll be waiting to see what you do, where you go, and who you meet. If I’m this excited, I can’t even imagine how you feel.
Good luck on your amazing adventure! I can’t wait to read about it.
The first part of this post, though, brought serious tears to my eyes. My children are still young… 4 years old and 20 months old… and it aches my heart to see them growing up so fast, but at the same time, I love each and every stage more than the last one… it’s such a bittersweet feeling, you know? I’m such an emotional mom, too. In my perfect world, my boys would always live with me, or at least on the same stret as me, when they grow up and get married.
I feel for you as I did when my eldest married and moved to England, when my son embarked on fatherhood, when my youngest emerged from a troubling year, put her feet on the ground and moved forward. I’m excited and proud and lovingly wish you well. You’ve earned this opportunity, Jane. Your persistence despite great challenge empowered you, drove you to this juncture. Your ability to write beautifully through joy and tragedy brought us to this juncture with you. Your commitment to ideals and people, honed over a lifetime, will fuel this yearlong journey and deliver you voice, your words and your work to an even greater audience. What a thrill!
I had V-Grrrl’s thought about Columbus Day. How appropriate.
Congratulations on the deal with GM. Wonderful! I’m so excited for you and I’m moved by this post. You’re just neat, Jane. And strong. And beautiful. *clapping and smiling*
Jane, looks like you have a virtual caravan going with you on this trip! What great comments out here — the reader support/posts are as compelling as your amazing writing skills.
I look forward to living vicariously through you on this journey.
Happy Trails!
CB
Long about when you arrive in New Mexico my own 2004 Chevrolet Aveo will be paid for …. I’m squeaking along frugally until then. Good luck. I am less fretful for you now that I know you have decent wheels. Thanks Chevy, for us both! I love mine and wouldn’t trade even though my first car was a Thunderbird. It’s always been the Chevys that have been dependable.
From this hour, freedom!
From this hour I ordain myself loos’d of limits and imaginary lines,
Going where I list, my own master, total and absolute,
Listening to others, and considering well what they say,
Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating,
Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds that would hold me.
I inhale great draughts of space;
The east and the west are mine, and the north and the south are mine.
I am larger, better than I thought;
I did not know I held so much goodness.
All seems beautiful to me;
I can repeat over to men and women, You have done such good to me, I would do the same to
you.
I will recruit for myself and you as I go;
I will scatter myself among men and women as I go;
I will toss the new gladness and roughness among them;
Whoever denies me, it shall not trouble me;
Whoever accepts me, he or she shall be blessed, and shall bless me.
from Walt Whitman’s “Song of The Open Road”
I am so happy for you. LL
The very best of luck to you Jane. You are doing this for all us middle aged women who dream dreams…what came to you as seed, is about to blossom into the most wonderful of fruit…and even with all of it frustrations and unexpected events, this will be the sweetest fruit ever. Part of me is really jealous..but I will be with you on every step of the journey.
So excited for you ….and I get to join you as you travel and write.
Jane, nice to meet you. I followed you from my dear friend Chrisy’s FB page. Love the two posts I just read, and I offer my hearty congratulations on getting GM to do something that I tried YEARS ago to get them to do – listen to women.
I know your task is different, but we have some common ground. I have degrees in both BBA/Marketing and BFA/Design and have driven a Chevrolet Suburban for over 10 years. We are a 2-Suburban family – and have been through at least 7 vehicles. Several years ago, I wrote to the owner of the largest Chevy dealership in Texas to tell him that they were missing the mark completely on SUV design for women (who drive kids around all day). And WHO is their largest target market? Women/families, right? I was NOT looking for a job, but offered my assistance/expertise to be part of a focus group on the design of interiors for Suburbans because it seems that the interior of the Suburban has not been thought-out at all.
So I’ll be following you and seeing if you have suggestions and if GM/Chevy listens. I hope they do. Bon Voyage! Wishing you great success.
Jane, what a way to enrich your life! Wishing you blessings and miracles along the way! Will so look forward to your stories from the road.
Dammit. Only you could get my eyes to well up over Spaghetti and SUVs. Looking forward to adventuring vicariously with you.
Nice – glad you will be driving in the comfort and security of a series of new vehicles. Good for GM and Ms. Burke in recognizing an amazing opportunity! The journey is going to be wonderful – look forward to seeing you on Monday. Columbus Day – how perfect…
What a brave soul you are. If you come through Utah, be sure to look me up.
Can you believe I didn’t even think about it being Columbus Day? So funny!
Thank you all for your wonderful support. 48 hours to Launch!
How fabulous is dreaming out loud! Congratulations.
Well Jane, have a great trip. I will be following you all the way. I am looking forward to reading your stories “of life in America”. A fresh and scintillating telling of stories not yet been told, and creating new ones of your own.
Wish you all the best and stay safe.
All the best.
I’m thrilled to read that you’ll have new wheels for your journey as you find your America, as you help us find it with you.
I see you’ll be in Arizona. Here’s hoping you stop here, meet us and hear our stories. As a mother of three, a grandmother of two, your story about your daughter, Elisabeth, prompted me to phone my adult daughters; just to hear their voices. Only a mother’s heart knows, yes? Thank you for that.
I feel almost guilty. We’re going on this great adventure with you and WE don’t have to pack!
I’m enjoying the comments by those who post.
I concur with all that they write. I’d like to add this even though is has been written. As a 58 yr old who used to pick up and go on a whim, I now have the dream come true of doing it again, just a bit differently. I love your title “Finding My America”. I think we all want to find it. You are going to be our trail blazer and actually hit the road and do it. What a concept.
I’m using your blogs as my frame of reference with the GM’s you’ll be traveling in. I know I want an American car and I know I DONT want to hear how great they are from a car salesmen or TV commercials. Thank you GM for your generosity and wisdom. After all, women are the number one consumers in America.
I’ll keep a light on in the window for you when you’re passing through Arizona. I may hold you hostage. I have a punch list of so many people from all walks of life I can keep you busy for a month! Let us know if you hit a state with no contacts. We’ll rally and find the perfect fit for you, for us, to interview.
This is newsworthy stuff. What do ya know. Real News for a change!
Happy Trails.Do we need seat belts too?
I have no idea what I’m doing up at 1 AM but I am so I’ll take this opportunity to offer a suggestion ~ make a request ~ for the very beginning of your journey. Record your thoughts, like a stream of consciousness from the minute you are alone in the car . . . said your last good bye, waved your last wave . . . actually on your way. If it were me, I know my thoughts would be going six ways to Sunday . . . I hope you’ll share with us what yours are.
I hopy Finding Your America is everything you want it to be . . . and then some. L L
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