Wednesday, January 7, 2009

DWH: Driving While Helen: Just Don't

Once, many years ago, mom and Bob were in the hospital at the same time for about a week. This was when I was still a teacher. I spent very little time at home. I visited them every day. I went grocery shopping when visiting hours were over (I went to the hospital right after school) and was so tired, I fell asleep at the wheel. I woke up on the route home, but I had no idea where I was, I just kept driving until I recognized something. I got home. The next day, I went home after school, took a nap, and called them on the phone. The rest of the time they were in the hospital, I took turns visiting them, and called the other (even from the firsts hospital room), and made sure I got rest and took care of myself.
When you have a scare like that in traffic, you need to make a change in your driving habits. It doesn't matter if it was DUI, forgetting your glasses, texting, cell phone using, yelling at ______, eating a sandwhich, drinking a cola, or driving while exhausted. Now, if I am overtired, I just don't drive. I know you moms out there are thinking that would be impossible, but keep in mind, I am talking falling asleep at the wheel tired. You don't want to do that to or with your kids. I know you don't.
God was looking out for me that day. In a way, He was looking out for Bob and Momma, too, because I don't know what they would do without me? Seriously. Could you imagine what would happen to a family without a talented blogger in it? Who wants to even think it?! Recognize His hand in keeping you safe, and thank Him by learning something!
This post is dedicated to a commenter on Sherri's blog, Matter of Fact, who calls herself Menice to Society.
Here is a youtube videeo for an incentive for all of us to drive safely. I wouldn't want to see any of these happen to my cyber friends and blog readers. Or anyone else, come to think of it.

6 comments:

Mary Ann said...

aagh! You woke up not knowing where you were?! That's scary.

I went through a year of aaaallllmooossttt falling asleep at the wheel. Exhaustion. Not pretty. But how else do you get from here or there?

Caffine: coffee, diet coke, red bull...what's your drug of choice?

Helen said...

Sorry Mare. When I am that exhausted, I just don't drive. I am married, so I can ask my husband to drive, but ultimately, if he can't, well, I won't risk my life and other people's any more.

For around the house tired though, it would be coffee or diet cola ;-)

Beth said...

We woke a guy up at a stoplight once late one night driving from Frank's parents to our house. He was just asleep in the middle of the intersection in his car. That was a little scary. But I was very thankful he was just asleep rather than needing medical attention.

Yeah...I'm pretty tired most of the time I drive...but now that I have kids, I DO think more about their safety than my own, and I'm a lot better about being honest and saying I'm too darn tired. I'd rather wait until morning to drive or switch drivers, whatever.

Helen said...

Beth, I am glad you look out for yourself and your kids that way. I wouldn't want anything to happen to any of you.
My mom's doctor told her once when she was sick and I was just baby that taking care of herself is part of taking care of me. Just another random thought.

Stephanie Wetzel said...

"Could you imagine what would happen to a family without a talented blogger in it?"

I loved that. And clearly you are SO much more to your family than that. No matter how important blogging is in the world. ;)

I don't usually need to drive while falling asleep. And I'm definitely more aware of risk now that I have kids. (And considering how much of a risk-taker I was pre-kids, that's saying a lot.)

Anonymous said...

Can you explain the horse in the windsheild photo?

Even I could have seen a horse!

Seriously, I normally always drive with my glasses on. My near vision is fine, so I only use them when I need to see something 2 feet away from me or further.( Okay, 1 foot away). I just hopped in and started driving then realized I didn't have them, and yes kept on. I won't do it again. I don't want to hit a horse! Or land in a river, or on the top of another car, etc.

And for the record, the "lady" that turned out to be just a bunch of pink garbage bags story was YEARS ago! OK? I'm reformed now. I went through a DWNB (driving while nearly blind) program.

I never drive sleepy though.

I blog while sleepy, but that's about it. (Another excuse for my typos. )

Hey, I think I do pretty well for blind sleepy lady!


veri wod: houty

WHat the driver said to the horse when it crashed through her window!

"Well, Houty!"