The great equalizer

Early yesterday morning I headed off to the local Wawa, part of my daily Saturday routine.  There was one open space in front of the store.  I wasn’t able to pull into the space right away as an older woman in a Toyota Camry had just finished backing into the space directly alongside and was getting out of her car…slowly.

I waited, patiently, as her door opened.  Four seconds.  Then, as the elderly woman exited her vehicle.  Eight seconds more.  As she closed the door and cleared my path.  Ten more seconds.  I stated to experience real empathy for what it is like to have your body grow old and slow you down.

I pulled in and exited my vehicle.  As I approached the front door this same woman was still making her way inside.  I waited behind her as she shuffled into the store.  A few moments later I found myself behind her at the Colombian coffee urn, my wife’s favorite.  Thirty seconds later I found myself in line behind this same woman at the register.  Slowly pulling out her change purse to complete her transaction.

After I had been checked out, having been slowed down long enough, I went out the opposite side door, rushed to my car and backed out of the parking space before she had a chance to get to her car.  As I backed out I could see her slowly moving towards her car.  It brought a smile to my face that this woman was self sufficient at her age.  Good for her I thought.

I pulled out of the parking lot and headed home.  About a mile down the road, cruising at a speed of thirty miles per hour, I was approaching a light that had just changed from green to yellow and I began to slow down.  When all of a sudden, from behind me, here comes Grandma, in her gray Toyota Camry, passing me on the right, doing 65 (in a 35 zone), leaving me in her dust.  She blew through the yellow light and  continued on her merry way.

I couldn’t be sure but it looked like she was giving me the finger as she passed by.  Well, probably not, but I’d like to think so.

Now, my smile turned into a grin, and soon thereafter, a giant belly laugh.  What a strong V6 will do for your morale.

You go granny.