Let me take a few seconds to collect my thoughts... I have chosen to make my home in a densely populated, crime ridden area and although I don't go out that much late at night, when I do I wouldn't say that I was nervous as much as I am keenly aware of my surroundings. I definitely get nervous when I am watching my favorite hometown football team play and one of the linemen or running backs yells as the ball is sailing through the air "I got, I got it" and I can plainly see from where I am sitting that there is no way in hell that he is going to catch it and if he does would definitely be an act of God. I get nervous when I am riding the Metro and the largest person in the entire Metro system decides to sit next to me. I can just see it in their eyes as they make their way down the aisle. Do I have some kind of label on my forehead that only they can see because this happens to me quite often and I end up squished up against the window for the duration of my ride which also happens to be their destination as well. I also get nervous when my hairstylist says "oh yeah I can do that" after only looking at the picture that I am showing her for a scant three seconds because I know that when she is finished with my hair it is not going to look anything like the picture I just showed her. That's why I never try different hair colors because, quite frankly, I am scared to death when I think about all the possible results. But getting to the crux of the matter, I am absolutely scared to death to ride with my father and sister, I still can't understand how they got a driver's license. My father used to drive a cab part time and I can't imagine having been one of his passengers. I imagine that they were mostly tourists who probably vowed to never to return to our city ever as a result of their driving experience with him. As for my sister, riding with her is like having survived a near death experience. Anyone who has ever rode with her makes the same comment: "I just don't like the way that you drive, you make me nervous, I'm surprised that you haven't been in more accidents." She always tells me that she drives by herself everyday and has never had an accident. I say it's because God is definitely looking out for her. I believe that she as well as my father have caused more than their fair share of accidents. Well, the two of them always want to pick me up and take me places and I would end up riding with them clutching my purse saying silent prayers as we drove along the highway and through the city. By the time I would get out of the car after riding with either of them I would need a tranquilizer. Yesterday I decided to put my foot down so when my mother insisted that my father drive me to the Metro Station I jumped up and shouted "no, I don't want him to take me to the station, I want you to take me (by the way mother is an excellent driver) or else I'll just walk." She started laughing and asked me why. I told her that his driving made me very nervous and plus he will not let me wind down the window and I feel all closed up in there because I am having hot flashes. He calmly said that he would let me roll down the window, did he not just hear what I said? I said his driving made me nervous but this is my father you know. So, I swallowed my pride, sat down and took a tranquilizer to calm me down without saying another word.
Why is it with parents that they always get the final word. Just once I would like to express my true feelings to them and get a response that lets me know that they were actually listening to me. Here I am going through menopause and they still manage to make me feel like a child. Since they still insist on treating me and my sisters like children why won't they buy that $700 Coach bag that I have been looking at? If I asked them something like that they would say you are a grown woman and then they would look at me like I was crazy and ask me am I taking my medication. Go figure!!!
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Comments: 9
I am now 31 years old and am still feel like a naughty child who just stole a cookie out of the cookie jar sometimes. I really feel for you my dad made me nervous when he drove. He was the type to drive with one foot on the gas and one on the brake. He took me to the airport in Houston one time so I could fly to see my husband who was working off. My dad had not been to Houston in ten years. Imagine his surprise at the changes. Needless to say I was a basket case by the time we arrived at the airport. It was my first time on a plane. And as for my sister, well that's a big YIKES. She is a panicky driver. I am meeting her this weekend to pick up my niece to bring her for a visit. I had to plan the meeting place so that my sister doesn't have to drive through any big cities. We live in different states, so that is not an easy feat. On a sad note, I would gladly ride anywhere with my dad if only he were here to drive. He passed away two years ago. So as much as it terrifies you, be sure to get him a kiss and hug at each destination. Never know when it will be the last time you ride with him.
As far as the driving thing goes. Just let me tell you about my daughter who is 19. She thinks driving with just your knees is acceptable. Sometimes when we arrive somewhere I'll say, "Come here and let me smell your breath." But I never have caught her drinking she just sucks at driving. I pray everyday for God to watch over her and all the people whe will meet on the road each day.
Meanwhile, Those reckless drivers should learn some driving ethics to avoid sudden death through accident. I think driving school should not issue any lincence those who have not become good in driving so as not to jeopardize the destiny of innocents people.