Rules of the Road

My grandma always said that God made libraries so that people didn't have any excuse to be stupid.

It seemed to me that the people who made the rules of the road had figured out everything that would help a person drive safely right down to having a sign that tells you you're passing through a place where deer cross. Somebody should stick up some signs on the highway of life. CAUTION: JERKS CROSSING. Blinking yellow lights when you're about to to something stupid. Stop signs in front of people who could hurt you. Green lights shining when you're doing the right thing. It would make the whole experience easier.

Like my grandmother always said, 'you never know the blessings that come from suffering.

Mom's note on the dining room table to me and Faith read: Daughters of mine, In case you haven't noticed, no one has seen the top of our dining room table in months. I seem to recall it is oak, but as the days dwindle by, I'm less and less sure. Perhaps this is because your school books, files, papers, magazines, letters, underwear, etc., are shielding it from normal use. My goal for you, dear offspring, to be accomplished in twenty-four hours (no excuses), is the clearing/exhuming of this space so that we may gather around it once again and spend quality time. Even though I am working the night shift, I will still be watching. Do it or die. Your loving mother

Now I see that it isn't the problems along the way that make us or break us. It's how we learn to stand and face them that makes the difference.

She shoved her can right under his chin. "Don't mess with seniors," she growled at him.

I looked at her from the corner of my eye. Some people are hard to imagine as children.

Elden started toward me, "I think that's enough!" The man I almost knocked down bolted from his chair and shouted, "Let her speak!" Yield, rat boy!

Mother, this is a confidential business discussion. I hardly think that your driver can add anything noteworthy." I could kick you in the stomach, I thought, moving toward the couch. I could drag you across Texas by your pointy ears.

It was so hard to leave, but like my grandmother always said, wherever we go, we take everything we've ever learned with us.

Those big shots in suits, they think they can push anybody around. I pick 'em up, drive 'em to the airport, they act like I don't exist... Those guys breathe the same oxygen as anybody else. Remember that.

Enough!" She stormed from the living room, but it felt like she was still standing there. Anger hangs in places sometimes long after the person is gone.

Mrs. Gladstone beamed at me and insisted I take the rest of the day off "Go," she said, pushing me out the door. "Clear your mind." "My mind doesn't work that way, Mrs. Gladstone. It needs to have things in it." "Go!

Sometimes I'm with someone who's drinking and feeling happy and I start thinking I can handle it now. I can have one. Then I remember what a fat lie that is. I can't handle a drop.

I want you to call the doctor and tell him to not come," she ordered. I took a big breath. "Mrs. Gladstone, you can keep being the tough person you are and still have a bad hip and need some help.