Out of Gas

When I was a teenager, the road to our home was a washboard, gravel road. We lived in the 'white house on the hill' and had a two rail white fence that skirted the huge front and side yards. As you left the big city of Bellmead (!) you drove on paved road til you passed the cemetary and golf course. That's where the fun began!
When I got my license, we had a gray and white 1956 Ford. It was cool looking to me. Kinda sporty, yet versatile in many ways. I loved to drive it, made me look good. There were no speed limits in the country; thus, who knew? Yes, I sometimes exceeded our dad's recommended speed of slow...and bypassed medium. I guess I kicked it up a notch or two to fast.
The trick was, as you steamed down the long gravel hill after you passed the Turk's and Sudberry's farms, you had to prepare. At the bottom of the gravel hill, came a small, old cement road that had been built across the bottom road there. It was there for a purpose. Most of my life, when big rains fell, the Tehuacana Creek flooded that low road and washed across it, moving at warp speed.
After you initiated the old concrete road, you came upon the ancient iron-railing bridge. It was an icon. Not sure when it was built, but boy could you ever scamper across that. The tires played a tune on the uneven old railroad type logs that formed the path across. Soon after clearing the challenges you rounded the first of three long curves.
That's where the invisible speed limit sign stood. It was called daddy, watching out the windows of the long, white milk barn. As you made the winding 's' around the way, you finally reached our long, gravel drive. Slowly, you pulled past the house, past the barn and into the large backyard. Remember, it was country!
As a teenager, I was privileged to carry my parent's gas credit card and was told I could back up to the farm pump anytime and fill her up. Twice in my life, I ran out of gas while in high school. It was aggravating, there were no cell phones. It was stupid because I just didn't get A ROUND TUIT!!
And, I had to face my dad! Those steel gray eyes could burn a hole right through ya!
Gas back then was 19.5 cents a gallon, full service and all the trimmings. His question on each blunder was "how in the world could you let the car run out of gas?" Well, actually it was easy. Now, I never told him that...it was just easy. You ran around, hauled your friends all over Bellmead, took your car to lunch at the Dairy Queen and drove home...v e r y s l o w l y! NOT.
I will tell you this...after the second time, it became a priority. I never let that happen again. My irresponsible choices led to those calamities. It was too easy to let everything else in life get in the way!
When I remember special things and times from the past, it helps me pause and think about the present. I have a challenging, life changing event about to occur. It must be my priority to stay focused and play by all the rules.
I've begun experiencing the six vitamins a day I must take...spaced throughout the day and night. And, I've purchased a few samples of the liquid protein I'm required to use two weeks prior to surgery and a month after surgery. They are, shall I say, different consistency and different tasting? I must find the flavors that agree with me prior to the final countdown. It's all new, somewhat mind boggling and totally strange to me.
Once in a while in the past few days, a voice says...it's a while until surgery...then, my conscience kicks in and says DO IT. I've done it and will continue. And, tomorrow I see the surgeon for the first time.
Anxiety? Yes. Curiosity? Yes Shallow breathing? Yes And, why? A new doctor who will change my life and script every step throughout this experience and who knows what tests I will be required to have? Not all bad...it's good to know that everything is in good working order. But, one more challenge and a necessary part of the deal.
I make it a priority every day to get a round tuit...my husband and I even went to the gym yesterday and he has started me on a weight program and a walking program. These are two essentials that must occur regularly with me from now. No room for hesitation, doubt or non-participation. But, life has brought me to this depot, time to ride the train.
Once in a while it's just nice to sit quietly and reflect on life events and get away from it all. Thus, I write!