[Image] I am ready to admit that I am a bad driver.
I have been driving since I was 14 years old which is the age in South Dakota when one can legally drive. I didn't have much trouble in South Dakota as there is not much to run into and so I thought, "I am a good driver."
When I was a 20 year old missionary in Korea, I was one of the select few that got to drive the mission van. I remember the day that the mission purchased a brand new van and I was one of the first drivers. First 3 dents in the first 3 days all caused by yours truly. The streets are very narrow and there is no sense of rules or regulations on the roads. Driving in Korea is like MarioKart on the Wii and so the dents (and the four traffic tickets I received) were simply not my fault. I was selected to drive afterall and so I thought, "I am a good driver."
The first time it really dawned on me that I may NOT be a good driver was a few years ago when my sister came to visit us in Virginia. She flew into BWI, a mere 50 miles from our home. I assured her over the phone that we would be home in less than an hour from her touching down at the airport and that I had driven from BWI to my house at least a half a dozen times. She arrived very late in the evening and was extremely tired and was anxious to get home. After about 45 minutes in the car, I realized that I had taken a wrong turn and was on the wrong side of Washington DC. I was almost out of gas and had to stop at a very scary part of town (and remember it was very late). She couldn't believe it although she did her best to put on a smile.
This, however, was an aberration. It was late and we were engaged in deep conversation, so this was an innocent mistake. Afterall, I thought, "I am a good driver." I was such a good driver that when I got off course, I knew how to get back on! I missed entirely the irony of that statement. I think I admitted to her that night that I was a bad driver, only to appease her frustration, but I didn't really believe it.
The truth sank in this week. It dawned on me suddenly this week when yet another driver angrily pointed at me with an unkind hand gesture accompanied with some shouting.
"He must be having a bad day", I thought to myself.
Then I thought, many people that I encounter seem to be have bad days.
Then I thought, this happens to me every week.
Then I thought, wow, I am a bad driver.
OK, I promise I will be safe. But this experience begs the question, what else do I think I am good at but am really bad at? Please don't answer that...I'll find out for myself...as I'm driving.
"OK, I admit it..."
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