Education can happen for anyone, not just our kids. Unfortunately, today I was the one that received an education on the state of our society.
The morning started out great. New coffee maker, breakfast with the kids, then off to school. I parked as always directly in front of Our Lady Queen of Peace as I don’t really like the kids to cross the street there, if possible, as there are some real idiot drivers out there.
As I was going to pull away, I looked in my mirror and saw a vehicle 50 yards back that was signaling to pull into a parking spot. I also noticed that there was a truck about two feet behind them.
Now I’m no expert on personal space, but that seems like it may be encroaching a little. So as I pulled out, that vehicle pulled into that space 50 yards back. Sure enough, that truck zooms forward and is instantly two feet behind me. I braked suddenly as a small reminder that we were indeed in a school zone. That was received with various hand gestures that would certainly get you sent to the principal’s office.
Now maybe it was the fact that someone has to protect these kids from bullies, in this case the bully was driving a Dodge truck and lives in the Fairways, but I did something completely out of character.
I stopped and got out of my car. It seemed obvious to me that this wonderfully literate gentleman needed a short geography lesson as he didn’t seem to know that he was in a school zone.
After we exchanged some quick pleasantries, I received a refresher course in Shakespeare as I was reminded of the quote, “me thinks thou dost protest too much.” I know this isn’t the exact quote, but I couldn’t call this chap a lady, as that would be rude to ladies for no reason.
Of course, when confronted, he had done nothing wrong and was driving the speed limit. I have strung tales like that myself when the principal was interrogating me regarding my youthful indiscretions.
Here is the part I liked the most. He started taking off his seatbelt. I smiled and said “are you sure you want to do that?” If you know me at all, you know that putting yourself in that type of situation doesn’t make it onto many people’s bucket lists.
He flung his door open and it hit me. I think it was when his truck moved and I didn’t that he reconsidered. It is times like this when I question our legal system. It really shouldn’t be against the law for me to provide this scholar with a free physical tutorial, but I digress.
Now all this took place in the span of probably 30 seconds. Here is where the real Social Studies lesson took place. The lady that was stopped behind, and obviously heard the entire exchange, yelled at me to get going.
I gave her the inquisitive dog head tilt, then advised her that he was driving like maniac in a school zone. She responded that she knew as she had just dropped her daughter off.
Ah, the terrible reality of grade school. I realized that in the grand scheme, I was all-alone. I turned around, got back in my car and drove away. After all, I wouldn’t want to hold up anyone who had successfully dropped their kids off at school and now had places to go.
I get it! Honestly, I do. It is each of our responsibilities as parents to protect our kids. No one else’s. So in the true meaning of education, I am taking away one important lesson. If I try to protect your kids, I’m a bad guy as it may inconvenience you. From this point forward I absolve myself of any further responsibility. Rest assured, however, my kids will be safe.
