Roll the Dice and Do Not Pass Go!
1963 1/2 Ford Galaxie 500 in excellent condition. The car drives great, but the person driving the car is having problems. I have that feeling again and know that something bad is going to happen. I think to myself, "that I am only 10 minutes from the house. I can make this drive, just this once and then never again." As soon as I start to get off the highway my seizure starts, but the seizure is only in my left leg. So I am good, I still have both arms and the leg that does the gas and the break.
I make the turn off the highway and now both legs are seizing up. Now I know that I am in real trouble. I look up and the stop-light is green, but I have no real control over the speed of the car. My right foot just keeps bounces off the gas pedal. I make it through the light. Yes, one challenge down! Next, I see a car about a half a mile in front of me. This could be trouble given my current state. My seizure has now expanded to both legs and my right arm.
I am just using my left arm to keep the steering wheel straight. I have no control over either of my legs and over my right arm. Through Divine-intervention the road I am on is straight. The seizure to this point has lasted for about 2 minutes and then the seizure just stops. Now the fatigue sets in for the event that just took place. I am still slowly driving the Galaxie towards the house. Now I have to decided if it is best to stop and call my wife or not. Fearing the worst, I decide to press on and keep driving to the house.
I finally get the Galaxie safe and sound back to the house. Yet, the scary events of the road have left their mark on me and will not let me drive for at least six months. The next morning I tell my lovely wife the events of the night prior and about my stubborn refusal to call for help. That day I have to turn in my car keys and have been a passenger every since.
This is not my first time as a passenger along for the ride. This is my second or third time to sit on that side of the car. There is something different about this trip around the car, something that feels more permanent. Driving is always thought of as a right and not a privilege. Yet, I think this privilege has slipped my grasp.
I would like to leave you all with these thoughts to consider. Enjoy that first cruise of the summer with the windows down and the music up. Cherish the last drive of the fall with the windows down and your friends in the car. Treasure the times you think are normal, because normal is what you will miss the most. You will always say "Remember when..."
Red Beards
**To the Ends of the Earth**