“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” That line from comedian George Carlin rings true for most of us. As for me, according to his classification system, I would fall in the ‘maniac’ category. I’m not a reckless driver by any means, but I tend to have a heavy foot, and I prefer driving in the fast lane.
This past weekend, I traveled from Alabama to coastal North Carolina in order to spend the week working in Matchmaker’s corporate office. As I cruised the highways and byways, observing Mary’s Road Trip Rules, I thought about the collection of speeding tickets I incurred in my younger years–so many that I received a letter from the State of North Carolina informing me I’d be forced to attend a six-week driving school if caught one more time!
With age, maturity, and the desire to set a good example for my teenage boys, my need for speed has mellowed. I want them to understand the dangers of speeding and, especially, texting. As we say down South: “Honk if you love Jesus; text if you want to meet Him.” My boys, however, prefer the Danish word ‘fartkontrol’ which means ‘speed check’ (or, in other words, ‘slow down’)!
I don’t care how they learn this lesson, as long as it sticks. As for me, I’m learning that it doesn’t hurt to slow down from time to time, whether on the road or in life. You notice more that way, like these funny road signs:
Happy Monday,
Mary
