Saturday, October 26, 2013

USM Parking

I was a late bloomer. I had no need for parking lots and parking garages till I was somewhere around 23. Ya, call me crazy. You'd have been in a long line of people to call me that. Today, I still wonder what possessed me to wait so long. It's really unexplainable, so don't even try. I thumbed. I mooched rides. I begged. I borrowed. I stole... ok, I never stole. I think,  once though, a tear rolled gently down my cheek. I do remember that it worked, and I got transported to Kennebunkport, Gorham or some place. It was not a pretty part of my history, but I'm a survivor.
These days, I hop in my SUV to travel 100 yards or so. I love to drive. I tell Elenka, I'll pretty much drive her to New Jersey any weekend. I do some of my best thinking, alone in my truck with some music.
I think back now. 
From 16-23, how did I survive?
I wonder sometimes.
I like to think, I did it my way.
For good or bad, I guess. 

14 comments:

  1. It took me years before I got my license. Never missed driving and a car because of wonderful public transportation. Where has THAT gone?

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  2. I worked with a young man who had no car. He took the bus to work and everywhere else. May not sound that unusual but, believe me, for Phoenix it was down right strange.

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  3. Got my license at sixteen, but it wasn't for another five years before I got my first car. Worked a whole summer to earn enough money for it, and my Dad still threw in enough to pay for the rest. It was a dandy little Ford Falcon, and I still remember it fondly as a completely reliable car, but not a stylish ride. It didn't even have a radio.

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  4. I dunno. You had a stunted youth. Which explains a lot, methinks. Right, Elenka?

    My first vehicle was a motor scooter at 14. At 15, I bought a 1937 Chevy with my own money. Drove it to work in the am, to school, then back to work. Traded that for a 1950 Plymouth coupe. What a beauty.

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    1. My first car was a '75 yellow and black Camaro. I needed to make up for lost time, I guess.
      VarooooooooooM!

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  5. Doesn't explain it all......;-)

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  6. i bought my own first car at age 16. a banged-up orange pinto with a white top. 4 speed. loved her. :)

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  7. I'll bet those were interesting times...you meet people when you have to depend on rides...

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  8. I do not own a car and I am lucky to walk to work...

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  9. I don't drive and have never had a car (either in my childhood or now). I have always traveled by bus. Thank you so much for the kind birthday wishes, I really appreciate it.

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  10. I think I got my drivers license on the day I turned 16. Yes, I have always been impatient. My first car was when I was a junior in college and worked in Washington for the summer. It was cheaper to buy a $250 rusty Plymouth Valiant than to fly back and forth.

    Yes, I did have to behave at the concert. I scrub up pretty good. (Peavy is off tonight.)

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  11. I bought my first car at 15 1/2. Nice shot.

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  12. HI visiting here...simple things in life somehow turn for something great and significant to treasure...

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