My husband and I raised two families -- one in Iowa and one here. Back then, the boys and young men had to find their own entertainment. Our boys never seemed to have any trouble finding it. It wasn't unusual to find the mayor or local law at our door to inform us of certain goings on or unpleasantness. For a few years, we were on a first name basis with a lot of law people. I'm thankful that there was nothing serious in any of it. Just orneriness and teen-age energy.
When the boys were overseas with the military, it was our fear that some day to open the door and find two Marine Corps officers standing there. Thank God, it never happened!
Life never fails to amaze m! Just about the time I get bored, something comes along to throw me for a loop. That's what happened last week when I stepped to the door to greet Pea Ridge Chief of Police Ledbetter and a fully uniformed officer. My instincts went to full panic. Something horrible had happened, so tell me fast so I can start fixing it. There isn't anything that cant be fixed!! Well, for course, we all know that there are some things that can't be fixed so no sense getting into that right now.
As my knees started to melt under my body weight, the Chief motioned to me that it wasn't that serious. He then had the job of telling me that I had caused vehicle damage to a car in a parking lot in Pea Ridge. It's a family joke about my backing up skills, but no, he explains that I was pulling forward and the parking lot video tape showed that I had no idea that something had happened. I've heard bout how we are being watched nowadays and I guess sometimes it's a good thing. I had cut the wheels too short and my back bumper caught the front bumper of a small car.
How humiliating to have someone tell you that your actions are damaging! Oh, no! I wonder what else I do that I don't know about? Have I become a danger to the public without realizing it? I spent the rest of the day mentally whipping myself, my ego, my driving habits, my stupid pickup truck, my age and anything else bad. It was the first time the law ever came looking for me and I hope the last.
Then, my thinking changed from me, me, me, me to realizing that this had to be a very difficult job for them to do. I remembered how courteous they were as they inspected my truck for damage and asked about insurance. The men had driven five miles to do the right thing for a fellow driver. Then, how about the customer who had come out to find his car damaged. Here I was stewing about my image. I needed to be thinking of others!
Yes, I keep the road hot, in order to stay busy! Is it time to cut back? I'm guilty of speed because it seems like I'm always in a hurry. After talking to my family and realizing that all of my senses are slowing down, I've decided to meet this head on, like I do everything else! At age 82, was it time to give up my license? Talking it out with my family, I've vowed to slow down, be more careful, more aware and more alert! So, the next time you see me driving toward you, you won't have to leave the road to avoid me. I will be watching out for you.
I already considered Chief Ledbetter a friend and that's how he handled it, not as a crime. If anything ever happens to you like this, I hope it will be someone as professional and courteous as they were.
Thank you, both!
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Editors note: Edith Lammey has been a resident of the area for nearly 40 years. She can be contacted through The Times at 451-1196 or [email protected]. The opinions of the writer are his own, and are not necessarily those of The Times.
Editorial on 07/30/2014