Where Are We Going Next

Abba:

As a child, I run into your arms, joyfully asking, “Where are we going next, Dada? Where are we going this time?

 

Are we there yet?”

 

Always my mind wonders and twirls like a merry go round, prancing and dancing, bursting with more happiness as each second carries on.

 

But once the ride stops, I want more.

 

My mind worries, when will it begin again? How long do I have to wait?!

 

Before I can blink, a hand clings unto me and we walk away.

 

The merry go round gets smaller and more blurred as the horses, magical tigers, swans and dolphins say goodbye.

 

Again I look up into the eyes of my dada and joyfully ask, “Where are we going  next, Dada?”

 

I’ve planned a whole layout of where I want to go. I think he’ll lead me there.

 

We walk for what seems like hours. The sun scorches my back, and I pant for water.

 

Are we there yet? I plead.

And then I realize I have no idea where my dad is taking me.

 

We pass all the seemingly best rides on my list.

The laughs of the children on them linger in my ears.

 

Hey, I don’t want to leave. I want to do more!

 

But my father tugs on my hand and we roll along.

 

“But Dad,” I finally ask, “Why are we skipping all the best ones?”

 

He graciously looks into my eyes and strokes my hair as he says, “I’ll let you chose which ride to pick, but if you have patience and walk a little more, I promise that these rides we are going to, are much, much better.”

 

I blink and tilt my head.

 

“Well then, lets get going!”

 

Minutes pass. I have no idea where these better rides are.

 

I don’t know where we are going.

 

 I just don’t know anymore.

 

I don’t even know how we got to where we are now…

 

 

But suddenly, I recall something.

 

My dad promised these would be better, so I continue the journey into the unknown, and I know that it will somehow be worth it.

 

The paper I remember that I’m holding, the one with my plan of which rides I will go on, suddenly doesn’t matter.

 

Because Abba’s got a better plan—I’ll take that.