The trip to Minot had been busy and fun. The rodeo that night was such a thrill, it froze the youngest's hand between his popcorn box and his mouth, while he watched the broncos buck and cowboys ride. Best of all, the first two hours of drive home was one of those little interludes in family life where everyone talked and laughed without quarrels. Then, mile by mile, the conversations had drifted off and were replaced by soft snores. Now, there's nothing very remarkable about any of this.
Every family has moments where life just seems to go right.
Every grown-up has childhood memories that never fail to bring a smile. But the feeling on this drive seemed tied somehow to the prairie. Then, there was the Cowboy Prayer at the beginning of the rodeo and the way the crowd held their hands over their hearts as the Star-Spangled Banner was sung. In other words, it was a wholesome day of Midwestern family fun. Farmhouse lights twinkled in the distance, promising safe harbor in the event of a breakdown.