What Miss Daisy’s Driving…

I love old people or however you wish to respectfully refer to them; seniors, elders, superiors, seasoned, senior citizens, the elderly, the aged, grannies, papas, grampies, golden ager, older generation, etc. Ever since childhood, I would get a bit sad when I saw an older person walking down the street by themselves. I remember thinking, “Does someone love them?” – “Are they alone?” – “Does someone help them out?” I still think this way today. Only, as I get older, I will actually start to tear up when I see an older person alone.

It goes the other way too, when I see an old couple at the store, or walking very carefully together in the parking lot, I will pause, “Oh, look at the little lovebirds” and my son (16) just dies every time. He says, “What is your fascination with old people mom? Why do you HAVE to point them out?” and he laughs and pokes fun at me. Or, who ever I’m with, I’ll jab them in the arm with my elbow, “Awww, look at that sweet old couple! Look!”

Nothing has really changed on that front either. My dad (rest his soul) was a fantastic man. My parents are both highly regarded in my mind and heart. Maybe that has something to do with it? They worked so hard and I appreciated it, and still do.

I’m from a suburb of Chicago. A total suburbanite here. Admittedly. Not a city dweller, and not even interested. I don’t live far from the city but I prefer to “visit” there every once and a long while- it’s exciting, but it also stresses me out. Home body, remember? I only mention this because of the following:

My dad had a Buick Century years ago, then they traded it it for a Buick LaSabre. HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED how many older folks DRIVE A BUICK, they are usually TAN/GOLD and all look the same! I see them everywhere, I see them in my sleep for Pete’s Sake!

The kids and I had been out so many times together when my dad was still alive too, we’d see that make and model (SAME “SAFE” COLOR) everywhere we went and would say, “Oh, there goes papa!” So, we’d rush to catch up and it’d be an older gentleman but not my dad!” It happened so freak’n much that we stopped guessing. Is it just me or have you ever noticed the same thing? My mom still drives said car, and every time I see one, which is 10-20 times a day, all over town, I do get a little excited but I’ve memorized her plate number now to quickly rule out if it’s her or not so as NOT to be chasing after it!

This is not to dis older folks, not my intention. Just amazed at how many of them drive a Buick? You might live in the city, might live in the country – but here in the ‘burbs; my gawsh, they are EVERY WHERE!