Being a caretaker means staying close to home a lot. Going to the grocery store and other supply places is about all you do. It results in not driving a lot.
Trying to re-enter life has presented an unexpected challenge for me. Driving. Driving beyond a few miles of home, on new roads and what seems like expanded traffic.
I used to live in a metropolitan area where traffic was bumper-to-bumper and there wasn’t more than a few feet between you and the car in front of you, all while driving fast.
I didn’t like driving then and it is more of a challenge now.
For a long time, I drove only on surface streets, with maybe a short hop onto the freeway.
Today I had to go across town. A pressing business problem arose and I had to tend to it today. I
I got on the freeway. Traffic was heavy, but not too bad. Everyone was driving at the same speed. Everyone was being polite, letting oncoming cars in and no one was cutting others off. This looked like work traffic. Everyone knew what they were supposed to do.
It made me think I can get on the freeway again.
After the business problem was attended to, I had to take a side street. A siren suddenly sounded. Everyone slowed down, but we couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. The car in front of me took a nose dive in front of me. It was close, but I managed to not get hit or hit anyone. The brakes were in good working order. No one hit me from behind.
Wouldn’t that have been a laugh? Staying off the freeway and then being forced into an accident on the side street would have been ironic.
I hope you are driving safely and being considerate of your fellow commuters.
Let me know how you are doing. I care.
Contemplation: Has driving become harder for you? Drive with care.
Sincerely,
Lynn Brooke
© 2023 Our New Chances
Photo Credit: © 2023 Rachel Gareau
Comments