Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Things Are Slower Than They Appear

Yes, that is a play off the warning (“WARNING:  OBJECTS MAY BE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR”) on the passenger-side rear-view mirror.  Which, how can you watch the road and read that at the same time? 
I digress.  The title refers to the view I have had over the last 5or so months as the 15 year-old has driven with his learner’s permit.  The first time I got in my truck with him at the wheel, it was very weird.  Just getting in on the passenger side took adjustment because I had to hoist a different leg on the running board.  Then, the seat belt is on the right shoulder vs. the left and I have to change which hand I hold my drink in (should have been stronger than coffee!).
If you have ever ridden the Aerosmith Rock & Rollercoaster @ Disney, that was us as we left the driveway.  If you haven’t, imagine an Appollo rocket launching.  I swear we hit 80 before we got to the end of the driveway.  My head becomes a swivel as I quickly look at the speedometer.  The first thought is “damn, I have got to get the truck in and have the gauges checked out.” I couldn’t believe it!  We were only going 15!  I finally realized the speedometer wasn’t broken, but that he was really going 15 mph. 
Next, I didn’t realize that my tires were 8 feet wide.  They have to be!  Otherwise, we would have driven off into the ditch on the right side.  The final realization was that I now know why all the Drivers Ed cars have that extra brake for the passenger.  As we went along, I must have put a dent in the passenger-side floorboard. 
Yes, I have attempted to put a humorous spin on riding with your child for the first time, but in reality, he is a very good driver – even better than his mother!  It is all about perspective and that applies to many different situations.  Sit in someone else’s seat and look at the world through that perspective.  It might just change your outlook.
From the passenger seat,

Zach, A Tennessee Squire

Monday, May 2, 2011

One Year Ago....

As I dropped the boys off at school this morning, I pondered on the fact that the road I was driving on was under 8 feet of rushing water a year ago.  The irony that it has been raining for the last couple of days was also not lost on me.

What is different a year later?  A lot:

  • Where there were houses, there are now empty lots and new homes.
  • Many flooded homes are still unrepaired.
  • Many homes are just now being finished or are still in the process of reconstruction.
  • We all probably pay a little bit more attention when Nancy VanDiaster says "Flood Warning"..
  • People are now friends who never knew each other pre-flood.
  • We empathize a little more with those anyone we see on the news after a natural disaster - like the folks in Alabama.
These are the quick ones that come to mind.  I know there are many more, should I take the time, but we can't dwell on the past.  We need to learn from the past, build on it (literally) and move on.  We all have changed and are still changing.

Take a moment and remember.  To help you remember, my blog from that time is included below:

http://squireponderings.blogspot.com/2010/05/wow-this-might-get-bad.html

Peace.

Zach, A Tennessee Squire