Sunny Side Up: Is it time to refresh your driving skills?
By Kathleen Gibson
Three grandchildren, ages eleven to fifteen, squealed as our van turned into the McDonalds drive-through. “Nana! That’s not the way! Back up!”
We’d been shopping. They expected only the short drive home. But the drive-through entry was directly ahead. And I hadn’t taken them for McFlurrys this year.
For all they knew, my detour was due to Nanabrain. They’ve been with me during other embarrassing driving errors. (I’ve happily forgotten the specifics.) But no. As I left my parking spot, I’d made a spur of the moment decision and headed for the drive-through. Pretending to panic once in there, I faked a noble attempt to cover my faux pas by placing an order.
Except Nanabrain did really kick in then. I didn’t remember “McFlurry.” “Umm…” I said to the voice at the other end of the “Order Here” speaker. “I’d like four…oh, dear…ice cream drinks.”
Pause. “Do you mean McFlurrys?” Relieved, I placed the order and somehow the voice heard. A wonder, since several someones (near and dear to me) had commenced loud hooting. Maybe even thumping and clapping. I’m not sure, since placing the specifics of the order needed my full attention.
It seems fitting, considering all that, that I spent the next day sitting in a parish hall in the community of Ituna with around twenty others of my vintage. We paid close attention to the tall instructor up front as he flipped through slides on a screen. Slides and conversation intended to help us stay safe behind the wheel.
I’m not sure why I’d registered earlier for Sask Safety Council’s FREE Mature Driver Refresher Course. I’ve never had a serious accident or a speeding ticket. But since I’m the chauffeur at our place, I should keep whatever edge I still have, even sharpen it. Driving a four-and-a half-thousand-pound steed requires that.
The six-hour course, packed with vital information (for any driver, whatever age) didn’t disappoint. Laughter and conversation (and a delicious lunch—thank you, Ituna!) punctuated the day. And even though the instructor offered nap breaks I never felt sleepy once. That’s thanks, I’m sure, to the thousand and eleventeen people I’d asked to pray I’d stay awake. (Rounding up on that number. I could have forgotten it.) It also helped to spend my breaks outside, kicking golden leaves and enjoying their crunch.
I’m still spooked by the story of the driver killed during an accident by the Kleenex holder that flew from the shelf under her back window. None of us knows our departure date from this old planet, but when I meet Jesus on that day, I’d rather not explain I was killed by a box of tissue—or that I killed someone else because of a preventable driving error.
Each year, more people are killed in avoidable accidents on our highways. If you consider yourself a mature driver, take the course. Go to Sasksafety.org. Click on Events to look for a Mature Driver Refresher Course near you. Or call toll-free (855) 280-7115.
Prayers for all your miles.
Connect with me at sunnysideup.press@gmail.com
Kathleen Gibson