Isn’t it strange sometimes how we come about learning lessons that are never forgotten? It happened to me one summer morning, as I was driving into the southwest end of Slayton for an appointment. It has been several years ago now, but each time I hit that very spot in the road….it all comes back. It is somewhat comical now, but I can’t deny that it helps me “remember”!
As I was headed east into town on the blacktop just south of the swimming pool, I noticed two cars parked beside each other in the middle of the road. They were enjoying the warmth of the summer morning and having a chat. Not in the best spot I thought, and I hoped I could get around them. As I peered into the space beyond them, I noticed a patrol car coming towards us. Oh, maybe he will tell them to move, I thought.
When the patrolman got to them, he simply went around them, kept coming in my direction, passed me, and proceeded to turn around and stop me. Huh?? What was I doing wrong?
As he approached my car, I noticed he looked like he was ten…well, maybe 15. (How does that happen as we age??) His first words were “ Good morning”, and then, “Do you know the speed limit on this edge of town”?
I told him I didn’t, and then he continued to inform me it was thirty and I had been going almost forty. Well, of course I hadn’t noticed as I was too preoccupied with those two cars blocking the road!
He talked….I mostly listened…about speed limits and the need for them. After a couple more lessons on driving and being careful, he told me this was just a warning, but that I should be more watchful next time. I assured him that I would, and then he did something a little out of the ordinary. Because of the nice weather, my window was down, and he put his arm around my back, patting it. And he said…” Just remember, when you see these houses, you know it is time to slow down”. Then he smiled and went on his way.
I was thankful for not getting a ticket, but the whole incident was kind of humorous coming from someone so young. But I do have to say that I have the “warning” stuck in my head. When I see the houses…I do slow down! I guess it doesn’t matter how we learn something as much as it is important that we learn it!
Wanted to share a few “short thoughts” with you that I came across this week in my reading. Some are just funny…some thought provoking…but all worth hearing. Happy summer days to you as June sneaks up on us this week!
“ Maturing is realizing how many things DON’T require your comment!”
It’s great to feel HAPPY, but it’s even better to bring HAPPINESS to others! What can you do for someone today?
“SNACCIDENT (noun) …Eating an entire pizza/ bag of chips/ box of chocolates by mistake.
Before marrying someone, you should first make them use a computer with slow internet, just to see who they really are.
I thought growing old would take longer.
Seek to be worth knowing rather than to be well known.
Ninety percent of the friction of daily life is caused by the wrong tone of voice.
Those who follow the crowd usually get lost in it.
Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking. (Marcus Aurelius)
What Susie says of Sally says more of Susie than of Sally….Remember that.
No matter how bad it gets…I’m always rich at the Dollar Store!
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