When Life Takes Over the Itinerary: A Road Trip, a Bonsai Tree, and a Whole Lot of Grit
"They say life is about the journey, not the destination. They clearly never packed a bonsai tree into a Jetta."
Have you ever spent weeks, maybe even months, meticulously planning a journey, only to have the universe look at your itinerary and say, "That’s cute, but let’s try something else"?
I’ve always loved May and June. For me, these months represent a beautiful bridge of celebration, starting with Mother’s Day and winding down with Father’s Day. Usually, it’s a whirlwind of activities, but this year? This year, the itinerary didn't just change; it was entirely rewritten by a series of events that felt like a movie script.
If you’ve ever felt like you were walking through quicksand while trying to run a marathon, or if you’ve ever had a "National Lampoon’s" moment that took your breath away, this Life Lesson is for you. Because sometimes, the best way to weather the storm is to simply keep driving, keep laughing, and hold on tight to your bonsai tree.
The Calm Before the Whirlwind: Graduation and Fireflies
The journey began on Mother’s Day. My family and I flew to Lynchburg, Virginia, for a truly heart-stirring milestone: my granddaughter Alexi’s graduation from Liberty University. My daughter, Cherie, had gone ahead to help Alexi pack up years of college life into one car. She found us a wonderful AirBnB, and for a few days, the world felt perfectly on track.
We celebrated the hard-won degree, then spent a few days touring Washington, D.C. The highlight for me was the Museum of the Bible. I was struck not just by the history, but by how clean and majestic the city felt. At night, we sat back and watched the fireflies, nature’s own little lanterns, entertaining us in the humid Virginia air. It was serene. It was planned. It was about to get very, very interesting.
When the Itinerary Goes Off-Road
The split happened shortly after. My son-in-law, Matt, took Alexi and my grandson Archer to Orlando to continue the celebrations at Disney World and Universal. Meanwhile, Cherie and I faced the "Great American Road Trip." We packed Alexi’s car to the roof and began the long trek back to Las Vegas.
If someone had videotaped us, it would have looked like National Lampoon’s Vacation on steroids. Within hours, the "itinerary" was out the window:
The Bank Drama: I received a notification that my bank account had been hacked. The catch? My local credit union was 3,000 miles away, and they told me I needed to come into a branch in person.
The Tech Fail: Cherie’s cell phone decided to quit on us. We were forced to use my phone for GPS, which is fine, until you realize how much you rely on a second screen for, well, everything.
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The Dashboard Scare: Somewhere in the middle of America, a mysterious light flashed on the Jetta's dashboard. Panic set in. Was the transmission going out? We found a mechanic in a small town, only to discover the "problem" was actually just the "Sport" mode button. We’d been driving with a little extra pep in our step without even knowing it!
"That mysterious dashboard light? Turns out we just had the "Sport" mode on. Who knew?"
The Legend of BonBon the Bonsai
Amidst the luggage and the chaos, we were entrusted with a very special passenger: "BonBon." BonBon is a prize bonsai tree that Alexi’s archery teammates had given her. It was Alexi’s pride and joy, and we were the designated transporters.
At one gas stop, Cherie took BonBon out of the car to rearrange some bags. We hopped back in, buckled up, and took off. About five minutes down the highway, a cold shiver went down my spine.
"Where’s BonBon?" I asked.
The look of pure horror on Cherie’s face said it all. She slammed on the brakes, did a U-turn that would make a stunt driver proud, and raced back to the gas station. By some miracle, a woman "from nowhere" saw the tree fall off the back of the car near a stop sign. We gathered up the scattered pieces, tucked BonBon back into the car, and prayed that it was made of hearty stock. (Spoiler alert: BonBon is a survivor!)
New Orleans: Birthdays and Beignet Blunders
By the time we hit New Orleans, it was my birthday. We decided to treat ourselves to a lovely dinner at Commander’s Palace, laughing until our sides ached about the absurdity of our trip.
The next day, we visited the St. Louis Cathedral in the heart of Jackson Square. After attending Mass, we wandered across the street for the quintessential New Orleans experience: cafe au lait and beignets.
"Cash only. No PIN. No problem. Eventually."
When the bill came, I reached for my card.
"Cash only," the server said.
I had no cash. I headed to the nearest ATM, tried every card I owned, and... nothing. Not a single one worked. It turns out, and here is a bit of wisdom for you: you actually need to know your PIN for credit cards to work in an ATM. Duh.
Cherie eventually returned, having fixed her own bank issues over the phone, and saved the day with cash. It wasn't just a coffee; it was a celebration of making it through another hurdle.
The Long Road Home and the Lesson Learned
We finally rolled back into Las Vegas just in time for Archer’s award ceremony and the arrival of family. But the road trip hadn't quite finished with me. I came home with what I thought was a simple head cold and a cough. A month and two rounds of medication later, I am finally breathing easy again.
As I sat in my own house, looking back at the hacked accounts, the broken phones, the "Sport mode" panic, and the near-loss of BonBon, I realized a few things:
Big Brother is always watching. Even though I hadn't used my card, my bank could track my location across the US through my online banking app. Modern life is a glasshouse, isn't it?
Preparation is great, but grit is better. You can plan the perfect itinerary, but life is what happens in the detours.
Laughter is the ultimate shock absorber. If we hadn't laughed at the absurdity of it all, we would have been miserable.
"BonBon the Bonsai — survivor, traveler, legend."
27 Years of Weathering the Storm
Today, I celebrate 27 years of coaching.
People often ask me how I stay so positive when helping others navigate their "stuck" places. The truth is, the wisdom I share with you is the same wisdom I’ve learned from thousands of clients over nearly three decades. They have taught me how to weather my own storms.
I’ve learned that when life takes over the itinerary, you have a choice. You can let the quicksand pull you under, or you can find the "Sport" mode in your own life and keep moving forward.
What I know for sure is this:
[Check] Life will throw you the unexpected. Expect it.
[Check] Determination is the engine, but joy is the fuel.
[Check] You are heartier stock than you think (just like BonBon).
[Check] It’s okay to need a little help: whether it’s from a mechanic, a pharmacist, or a coach.
Are you feeling like your life's itinerary has been hijacked lately? Are you struggling to find the laughter amidst the "cash-only" moments of your career or relationships?
I invite you to a conversation. Let’s look at the map together and find your way back to the road you want to be on. You don't have to do it alone, and I promise, we’ll find something to smile about along the way.
I keep choosing to be happy. Life works better with joy. (And sometimes, the meds help, too!)
Joy Huntsman, Master Coach & Founder, Joy & Associates