Thanks, Old Man

Normally when I get on the road, freeway or otherwise, I get frustrated when I get stuck behind some old man in a hat going 15 under the speed limit. Today was different. Today I realized that old man is probably doing us all a favor.

Maybe he realizes that he isn't as sharp as he once was and that his reaction time is slower. Perhaps he is aware of how much traffic is different now than when he learned to drive. He probably embraces life more than any of us and has a lot less of it left. He's probably not in a rat race hurry to get anywhere like the rest of us. So he drives slowly and carefully and that's actually better for everyone.

So next time you get behind an elderly person going annoyingly slow when you just HAVE to be somewhere RIGHT NOW don't speed up until you're on their bumper and then zip around them. Do not yell obscenities to yourself (you look crazy) or gripe about "when I get old." Instead, thank that elderly person for recognizing their limitations and let them know you appreciate that they are only going the minimum required legal speed. No, don't say that. You'll get hit with a cane. Seriously though, don't be so quick to anger. If they were going any faster they might actually hurt someone.

Punk teenagers who drive with their legs in the front seat and torso in the back seat while listening to the radio with the bass so loud that it makes their '98 Honda with spinner rims rattle, now they are another story. Pull up your pants.