OLD HABITS DIE HARD
We sat behind the kid for a solid five seconds… Funny/peculiar how too often five seconds can seem like an eternity and a thousand different thoughts can roll through a subconscious like tumbleweeds blowing through a deserted ghost town of our mind while the tea kettle siren begins to scream with urgency.
“C-mon, kid!” I talked to the young man who couldn’t hear me and most likely didn’t have a clue I was even behind him.
“Be nice, it’s a student driver,” my wife calmly observed.
“Obviously,” I added with sarcasm, “Geez!” I grimaced as though the kid caused me physical pain as I accelerated around him after he’d finally taken the fifteen second corner. I glanced over at the rattled yet excited kid that as far as I’m concerned will never be a great driver… but then that’s how one thinks when one is a hillbilly in disguise… or at least raised by hillbillies.
I eventually felt bad for Nervous Norman as I checked him out one last time as he quickly shrunk into my rearview mirror. By the time I was that kid’s age, I could handle a vehicle with confidence and some skill.
It started for me as a little kid sitting next to my dad in his work trucks. If I slid to the front of the bench seat in the pre-seatbelt wearing years, I could barely see over the dashboard, but that wasn’t a necessity for what would become our tradition.
I can’t recall the exact words verbatim, but know it was something along the lines of, “Can I shift for you?”
“Do you know how?” my dad asked with amusement.
“Yeah,” I said, not out of dishonesty, but true belief in what I’d seen and been around my entire short life. My dad made sure I did know how at first and let my hand go along for the ride on top of his hand that wrapped the knob of the shifter as he went through the gears. Then my dad’s hand on mine until he knew I had the feel for it. Pretty soon my dad could run through the sluggish old truck gears with no hesitation on the clutch, just as if he were shifting it himself. A skill he’d come to regret teaching me at such a young age.
Dirt roads close to our house in the desert were the perfect place to learn to drive my dad’s old work trucks and my older brothers’ cars, not too sure my dad knew about all the exploits… That’s part of the gift of older siblings! I was in the driver’s seat from around ten years of age. By the time I was fourteen I could handle vehicles, manual or not, on winding dirt roads in full blown power slides, to being on steep offramps with cars behind me and not rolling back an inch while feathering the clutch. Back then at that too tender age, I navigated some nastiest backroads and some of the most famous interstates in California and Arizona.
The younger a person starts any physical task the better they’re going to be at it. Period. The problem, of course, becomes the bad habits learned while trying to master a task at a young age. I’ve literally had significantly more traffic violations than years I’ve spent on this planet. I shared about three of them I got thinking I could outrun a cop in a six-cylinder before I was sixteen not too many posts back.
It takes years and a lifetime fighting old habits learned by example and fueled by desire… Legalism started for me even earlier than jammin’ gears… Hard to imagine how many times I’ve broken the law by believing I could keep the law…
After I’m significantly further down the road and the gas tank is noticeably emptier… Something whispers delicately to my conscious that the student driver is better off, after all… now if I just begin to listen…But, old habits die hard…
bill (cycleguy)
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 @ 2:40 am
Great story Floyd! My father was NEVER one to do what your father did. He wouldn’t even let my mom drive if he was in the car. In my 18 years at home I never say that phenomena. But like you applied it, I still spent years in legalism thinking I could keep the law and do right. I found out much later than I should have it is an impossible task.
Floyd
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 @ 6:55 am
Old habits do indeed die hard, Bill! Even though we know it’s impossible to keep the law we still fall into trying in our flesh… The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak… Thanks, Bill.
Jason Stasyszen
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 @ 8:54 am
I was one of those nervous drivers when I got my license. I had driven in pastures and dirt roads before my learner’s permit, but I hardly knew anything and definitely didn’t have confidence. Still (and sadly), I can now get very frustrated by how people drive around me. I don’t get out-and-out angry so much as let out exasperated, “c’mon!” or “geez!” It’s so hard when the majority of people around are not nearly as good a driver as you are. 🙂 I don’t think any of that was your point, but it’s where my brain went today! Ha! Thanks for indulging me, Floyd. 🙂
Floyd
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 @ 1:19 pm
Aggressive driving wears on the person partaking in it. I find myself in a hurry sometimes when I’m not even in a hurry. Just habits like all others. That’s okay, Jason. Where ever your mind goes, it always weaves a tale of wisdom. And maybe a little sarcasm with the “good driver” crack! Thanks for sharing and for making me smile, Jason!
tcavey
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 @ 1:32 pm
I flunked my first driving test.
Enough said.
Floyd
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 @ 5:39 pm
Well… you’re in the same boat as my wife! Practice makes perfect!
Lynn Morrissey
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 @ 5:40 pm
Oh I always feel a bit sorry for those self-conscious student drivers…..probably because I was one in driver’s ed, when it was customarily taught in high school. I was so bad that my instructor reached over with his big clodhopper shoe and smashed it down on top of my poor foot, which was resting on the break. Wow, did that hurt, but we did stop. Apparently, I was not following his instruciton fastly enough! =] My mother doesn’t drive. My grandfather tried to teach her in a cemetery, and they both almost landed in a lake. Mother raised up her hands in distress, afraid they would plunge into the lake (and *she* was in the driver’s seat)! I don’t think she followed instructions very well either. God instructs us in how to navigate life’s roadways, and I thnk we would all do well to pay attention and yield! Oh…..and I almost forgot: My farvorite driving story is by my mentor and friend author/speaker Carol Kent, whose gas peddle got stuck and she did a joy ride through town running down shrubberies, and heaven knows what else. She writes it amusingly, but actually it wasn’t funny. She could have been seriously injured. It never dawned her simply to turn off the engine! =] So I guess we need to know when God wants us to move ahead and when He wants us to stop, huh?! We are much better off (and so is everyone else!) when we heed His advice!
Fun post, Floyd!
Lynn
Floyd
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 @ 6:25 pm
I can’t argue with you, Lynn! We don’t follow the signs very well… kinda like me when it comes to following the speed limit… Those are great stories… I think if I was your mother and I had that experience in a cemetery I might not ever drive either!!! Your story of Carol Kent reminded me of a time when I was driving to CA in a Lincoln Mark IIII that topped out over 160 mph when the cruise control got stuck on “accel”… I made record time… and when the highway patrolman pulled me over I strained to stop and put it in neutral then eventually parked along side the road and let the engine scream to prove to him that I wasn’t lying! I wasn’t about to stop in the middle of the desert! May we navigate life’s roadways and paths by the will of our Father. Well said. Thanks, Lynn.
Lynn Morrissey
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 @ 6:27 pm
Oh wow, glad you were ok Floyd AND that the cop believed you!! I must say too that I used to have a lead fool UNTIL baby Sheridan was born. Suddenly, I slowed down a nd have observed speed limits ever since. Our baby is 21 today! Time has sped by like a race car, to keep your metaphor!
Floyd
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 @ 8:33 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHERIDAN!!!! Wow. My mom’s is the day after tomorrow. I completely get that. I had motorcycles and two seater sports cars. I never straddled a bike (motorcycle) since after Karson was born. That is a miracle all to itself… I still fight the urge to get on one and do dumb things… I’m so glad you shared that it is Sheridan’s birthday tomorrow. If you think of it, tell her your friend and brother from Arizona is praying for her and wishing her a happy birthday.
Lynn Morrissey
Thursday, August 29, 2013 @ 7:20 am
Floyd, that is just so nice of you. SHeridan is at school, but as soon as she comes home, I will let her read your lovely greeting herself. Thank you! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUR MOM!!! This is also Michael’s sister, Mary Jon’s, birthday! A lovely greeting to all.
Fondly.
Lynn
Oh yes, and about those motorcycles and babies….I think we all think twice about taking better care of ourselves when we have little ones. I made mike stop hangliding when Sheridan arrived on the scene! =]
Floyd
Friday, August 30, 2013 @ 10:48 am
Hangliding? I thought I was half crazy!!! Good for you and Mike. That would have to be a freeing rush, but it takes guts! We all do get smarter when the world begins to be about others, me for sure.
Happy Birthday to Mary Jon as well. Thanks, Lynn.
Hazel Moon
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 @ 6:05 pm
This story brought back memories. I might just write about it. When I was very young, and we were on a long trip from Oakland to Exeter, my dad allowed me to sit on his lap and steer on one of those long roads. He did all the shifting.
I am glad the schools have drivers training now for kids. Ours were able to take advantage of it and it did help them learn faster. By then the gears were automatic. Our son did have a VW and needed to shift gears. Those were the days.
Floyd
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 @ 6:26 pm
Please do write about that story with your dad, Hazel! Those are the best! I had some four speeds that could light up the tires in all four gears… big surprise! Looking forward to that post, Hazel!
Hazel Moon
Thursday, August 29, 2013 @ 6:17 pm
Thanks Floyd, I will save my post for next Tuesday. “Learning to Drive.” I will mention that your post inspired me to remember – – –
Floyd
Friday, August 30, 2013 @ 11:10 am
I’m looking forward to reading it, Hazel. It is such a blessing how you and I inspire one another with our stories! That’s not a coincidence! Thanks, Hazel.
Mia
Thursday, August 29, 2013 @ 2:17 am
Dear Floyd
I have heard the story that any impulses in the, goog or bad, so they say.It takes 26 times at leat and replace it with with so much more than 25 times. Uch a sad story
Blessingsy
Floyd
Thursday, August 29, 2013 @ 6:46 am
I believe it… I also know it takes a couple of months with constant action to change a habit. One day at a time… Thanks, Mia.
Betty Draper
Thursday, August 29, 2013 @ 10:18 am
How foolish we can be when we think we know so much and trust in ourselves. As a young driver I thought I was in control till a ditch came out of nowhere. It’s the same now, without wisdom we will find ourselves in a ditch. Some ditches take a little time to get out of. Working on breaking a bad eating habit now…trying to use wisdom when I shop, don’t even go down the potato chip isle. Sometimes the pull is so strong and of course I cannot eat only one. Good post brother…
Floyd
Friday, August 30, 2013 @ 10:51 am
You’re not alone, Betty. Lay’s Potato chips weren’t lying when they said you couldn’t just eat one… If I start I cooked. Good for you for following the advice in Proverbs and avoiding that corner all together. We all have weaknesses, some like me more than my share, but I’m praying for you, sister. Those ditches do seem to come out of nowhere… Thanks, Betty. We’re stronger together by our Father’s design.
Michael Holmes
Thursday, August 29, 2013 @ 10:22 am
The one thing the student has over the “master” is the student knows he needs to learn, the “master” knows it all.
I love your stories you always have a way of putting me right in the backseat so I can watch everything 🙂
Floyd
Friday, August 30, 2013 @ 10:54 am
Ohhhh. Great point, Mike! May I forever remember that I’m a life long learner and student… Humility is key. If anything takes me from humility before our Father, I want none of it! Thanks for coming along for the ride, Mike. I can’t imagine a better passenger and traveling companion, my friend.
Dan Erickson
Thursday, August 29, 2013 @ 12:05 pm
I forged my mom’s signature, emptied my bank account, and bought a $300 Chevy Impala at 16 before I’d actually taken any driving lessons. I parked in at the dead end and even lived in it for a couple weeks between foster homes.
Floyd
Friday, August 30, 2013 @ 10:55 am
That’s a great story, Dan! You gotta write about that! I can’t believe I didn’t know that? Those are the paths that made you strong and your story compelling… the kind that change lives. Thanks, Dan.
Jennifer Dougan
Thursday, August 29, 2013 @ 4:20 pm
Hi Floyd,
My husband talks to the drivers on the roads with us too, and I sound more like your wife. 🙂
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Floyd
Friday, August 30, 2013 @ 11:09 am
God bless you, sister! I’m not sure what type of lunatics we’d be without our wives!!! Thanks, Jennifer.
Mike
Friday, August 30, 2013 @ 7:01 am
Been there done that. I also spent years trying to muster up the Fruits of the Spirit as if it was something I could do. But as I’ve gotten older, I realized the only way I would show the Fruits of the Spirit is if I let Christ live in me. The’re His Fruits after all, He’s just kind enough to share them. As for the learning to drive, I was once that scarred kid. I think there was someone behind me for a while being annoyed as well. 🙂
Floyd
Friday, August 30, 2013 @ 11:12 am
I hear you, Mike. Trying in the flesh is a sure way to find the end of ourselves… guess that’s part of His design. Good call, all the gifts belong to Him and originate with Him. May we honor Him with what He provides.
You know there are impatient old guys sitting in traffic through every generation I guess! Thanks, Mike.
child of God
Friday, August 30, 2013 @ 9:58 am
Lol!! 🙂
I LOVE this…“The younger a person starts any physical task the better they’re going to be at it. Period. The problem of course becomes the bad habits learned while trying to master a task at a young age.”
My husband and I have a large farm and we taught the kids to drive starting at the age of 2 and when they were able to touch the peddles by themselves, they were driving and by the time they were around 8, they would take the truck down the driveway by themselves. My daughter just last week got her learners and I took her driving in town. Bad habits no doubt!! I had no idea my daughter had such a heavy foot or took corners like a race car driver. I made her pull over to the side and gave her a very stern lecture on handling a vehicle out amongst civilized people. Her pride rose and I saw her back stiffen yet, when she realized that there was a very good chance she would fail her drivers test if she didn’t listen and break these bad habits, the hard resistance that quickly rose to the surface just as quickly left and she became teachable.
Pride is a tough one and we all deal with it some way or another.
Great story Floyd.
Blessings
Floyd
Friday, August 30, 2013 @ 11:22 am
That really drives the message home! Good for you for getting control. No doubt your daughter will be a great driver… lets hope one with a lighter foot! Pride… I’ve seen pride so often in life, but past by it in a blur on my way to the cliff… The bumps and bruises have slowed me down enough now to not fall as often. Thanks, Amey.
David Rupert
Friday, August 30, 2013 @ 1:29 pm
How many stories in my life revolve around a car, driving, or being stuck…TOO many!
Floyd
Saturday, August 31, 2013 @ 8:31 am
Yeah, but those are the best stories to share! Like you getting locked in the trunk of your parents 69′ Olds! It’s amazing how much you can tell about a person by the way they conduct themselves behind a steering wheel…
saleslady371
Friday, August 30, 2013 @ 5:26 pm
I agree with the comments about feeling like I’m in the back seat of your stories. And that is a compliment! My dad taught me to drive his car when I got my permit. He was so gentle and cautious and his peaceful disposition made him a good teacher. But I was nervous and lacked confidence and failed my first driver’s test too. Someday I’ll have to write about the beautiful cake my mother made me when I did pass and we celebrated. Sounds like your aggression has been tempered with age and that’s achievement. And I gained driving confidence! I’ll never forget when my late F-I-L told me I was such a good driver that he could drive across the nation with me at ease…but not his son! LOL.
Floyd
Saturday, August 31, 2013 @ 8:38 am
I’d love to hear that story about the drivers license celebration! What a great thought on your mom’s behalf. I can’t say I’m as gentle as your dad, although the first two daughters I did pretty well with teaching, still one more to go. I know she isn’t like me when it comes to cars so I think it will work out! That’s a wonderful compliment from your father in law. It reminds me I still have work to do… Thanks for sharing that story and I’m looking forward to the longer version!