Parking on a Wing and a Prayer

Daily writing prompt

What skill would you like to learn?

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I have started to drive more than I have in a few years. But the long hiatus from driving resulted in my forgetting how to park the car between the white lines. This is essential knowledge. I asked my husband for help, and he took me to a vacant church parking lot. I did really well because there were no cars to impede my parking! I asked him to tell me when to start turning into the parking space as if I were parallel parking (which will never happen!). He told me that it is such a habit with him after 50 years of driving that he can’t really say. It is just instinct.

Then, he doesn’t understand why I don’t want to drive. But today, I had to have my defibrillator checked at the hospital, and Douglas had a disc golf tournament. It is hard for seasoned drivers to find one parking place at the hospital, much less find two parking slots side by side, to have more room for turning in. I prayed all the way, asking God to help me not cause anyone inconvenience by hitting their car.

Thankfully, with our new 2024 CR-V Hybrid Sport, affectionately called “Big Red,” I have every safety feature available, so the car practically drives itself, taking control of the steering wheel if I am too close to the lines. I also had parking sensors added because of the lack of parking expertise. When I arrived, I started looking for two spaces together, but that wasn’t happening, so I looked for a space I could drive straight into.

I found a space and drove into it, but the poor man who had parked right beside me could not get out of his car, so I backed up, and he smiled at my kindness. Then, I pulled closer to the other line so he could get back in his car, The parking sensor was sounding off, and I had to realize that because it sounds doesn’t mean I am about to hit anything. I was parked crooked, but I was parked in the lines, though! Yahoo!

I went to my appointment and had to explain why my heartbeat was up so much. I really need to call the local driving school and take a couple of lessons to regain my confidence and learn to park again without fear. I was able to back out of the space with no trouble, thanks to a lot of praying. When I was headed toward home, I shouted, “Thank you, Lord!” I was the happiest driver on the street.