CONCEPTIONS - PER- AND MIS- PART TWO

Don't know why I chose this image--it's just pretty.

My fourth and (I hope!) last accident was about a year ago. Born of anger and impatience. I'd just picked up my grandson to take him back to our house. I needed to make a left turn onto the feeder road to the expressway. I was "good"--I waited when the left turn signal turned yellow and decided not to make a run for it--I would wait until the traffic had cleared to make my turn.

And so I waited and as it cleared, I very slowly inched the van into the oncoming lanes. There was one more car to clear. I thought as it came towards me that they were probably intending to make a right turn which would clear the way for me to make the left so I inched further into the oncoming lanes.

And then he hit me! My grandson in his car seat in the back of the van was ecstatic! "I knew it! I knew we were gonna crash!" he loudly proclaimed!

I sat there absolutely stunned! Sure I was probably in his way but he had to have seen me as he came down the hill! It didn't seem like he'd made any attempt to avoid hitting me by trying to stop or swerve in any way! How could he hit me!

I was so stunned I just sat there absolutely dazed and amazed. I knew neither my grandson or I were hurt but still, I just sat there.

Finally, the lady who was in the front passenger seat of the other car came to see if I was alright which I assured her I was. I knew the police had to be called and when I finally began coming to my senses and went to see if she and her husband (who was driving) were ok, I also saw she was on the phone to the police and whoever else she needed to call. I also noticed that her husband (the driver) was on oxygen and had one of those little tanks sitting beside him.

It was hot--it was August--and my car was still running. I never turned it off because I was afraid it might not start up again and I wanted to assure some level of comfort for my grandson.

When the police came, Benjamin was delighted. I was asked to move my car out of the way--the other car was so damaged (likely totaled) it had to be towed away. I was given a ticket for failing to yield the right of way but advised that I might get it deferred if I drove without incident for the next three months--which is what ultimately happened.

This latest incident is as yet unsettled as the people still have claims against my insurance company. I wouldn't be surprised if they, too, ultimately sued us. Luckily, we're with different insurance than we were from when I had my first accident in Texas but I'm sure eventually things will catch up to me/us and our rates will increase substantially.

Add to this, since I've been in Texas these last five years I've also received a number of tickets--some frivolous--not wearing a seatbelt "properly"!--some not--going over the speed limit in a construction zone; in a school zone (this last on the last day of school!).

Writing this all out helps me see that every one of these accidents/incidents has been caused by impatience. I need to slow down. I need to relax! I need to let go--and as the saying goes--let God (or my higher power).

I also write this to point out the original perception--that I am a safe driver--is obviously something of a misconception! And now, perhaps, the reader can understand why I was so surprised when my son and daughter-in-law recently asked me to drive my granddaughters and their friend some place in a car with which I was unfamiliar and on roads I'd never driven on before!

But, more on that tomorrow--my writing time is up for today! And again--I want to explore the per and mis-conceptions of this latest event in my life.

Peace and Understanding to all who read this!

Carol