I somehow found myself in a fairly lengthy conversation with one of my neighbors at the Y this morning. I think it began with this weekend’s excitement of a tilted street pole in our complex. No information yet on how it happened; we’re here on our little island of winding streets, with everyone tootling around at about 20 miles an hour. I noticed it yesterday afternoon when walking the twins around during their Sunday visit to us. A wild Saturday night? Or, more likely, with a median age of about 75 here, one of our residents should permanently hand over his car keys to someone.
So, I guess it was a natural
transition to my friend’s dilemma with her husband. They have a time-share in
Florida and in the past would drive down, taking 3 days. They then transitioned
to driving just to Virginia, where you can load your car on a train for the
rest of the trip. (There are too many low bridges from the north to Virginia to
use the train from here) Apparently, his driving is going downhill, so she
tried to convince him that they could ship their car down on a flatbed truck the
full distance, and fly themselves.
He flatly refused. And she flatly
refused to drive with him.
So she’s going to fly and he’s still
driving the car to the train in Virginia.
Aging isn’t just a simple matter of
bad knees.
Ouch. The decision to give up driving is a hard one for so many people. I hope he arrives safely.
ReplyDeleteSo very true. My hubby and I have managed to compromise in most instances, but it always feels like I give in to him. Whatever keeps the peace, eh?
ReplyDeleteGood for her.
ReplyDeleteGood to see a gal standing her ground, although I hope she calls his bluff and he doesn't try to do the drive himself.
DeleteOh that is very true. Our brains change a lot and stubbornness sets in. I think I would have joined hubby because I would worry and we are always three since we have Buddy, our Down syndrome adult with us. He loves to travel.
ReplyDeleteI hope he arrives safely too and perhaps soon decides that driving alone isn't worth it.
ReplyDeleteDave's parents are in the same boat, driving from Michigan to Florida and back. Their plan is to get a car they can leave in Florida, and fly both ways.
ReplyDeleteThat may be us one day. We have an old car that we leave in Florida.
DeleteGetting old brings with it many different complications that one never thinks about when younger. Living in a place which is so car dependent makes it even harder. My mother just turned 89 and she still drives everywhere. I have ridden with her and she still does well. I am lucky that I haven't had to "take the keys."
ReplyDeleteYou and she are both fortunate.
DeleteWith my husband's dementia it is only a matter of time for driving to be curtailed and I hope we do not fight too much over that!!
ReplyDelete