Soulati, Kings Island
When I was a little girl my father would gather us up on Friday nights to take us on a family car ride. When I’d ask where we were headed he tell me we were going to”jedbip” – a word of his own creation.
These rides were the highlight of the week, especially in the summer. The windows down, the cool breeze in my hair and WCAO out of Baltimore, MD with DJ Johnny Dark playing in the background.
I would sing along to every song. From the Spinners to Three Dog Night, I would just sing out my heart and my little brother, Robbie would cover his ears in horror.
Our trips to “jedbip” would take us to every inch of Maryland, the city lights of Dundalk and the smell of Fells Point. We’d pass the sailboats out on the Severn River near the Naval Academy.
Every trip ended the same, a trip to Tastee-Freeze for a chocolate/vanilla swirl soft serve ice cream cone. No trip was complete until you had your cone.
Family Memories
After all these years, I realized that we never did pass a town named “jedbip”.
However, now that I’m older, I have come to realize that “jedbip” was my happy place. It was those car rides with my family that I look back now fondly and remember as being some of the best times of my life.
There was so much freedom in those moments.
The memories my Dad created by gathering us in the car and taking off on those Friday nights. He didn’t have a destination in mind, no particular place to go; he just wanted his family to have a night together. To create memories for us to hold on to when the miles separated us when we were older.
To be able to go back in our minds to remember those rides to “jedbip” and smile about our happy place.
About The Author
Jennifer Olney is the Founder #bealeader™ and CEO of . #bealeader™ is a virtual leadership community and multi-author blog dedicated to changing the game and making a difference in the lives of leaders of today and tomorrow by providing education and knowledge base sharing resources by connection leaders from around the world. Jennifer brings over 20 years of marketing and business development management working with organization from Maryland to Silicon Valley in the startup internet and technology space. You can contact Jennifer on @GingerConsult, LinkedIN and GooglePlus.
