Over the last few years I have had the opportunity to watch people park in large parking lots. First of all, many times Cheri and I do not use the handicapped parking spaces. On occasion we will, because I have to have enough room for the ramp to extend out the side door. On a smooth parking lot, I can switch to fourth gear and run about 6 mph. So we leave some of the prime handicapped parking spots to someone who really needs them.
For the most part it's very easy to tell who needs these spots and who doesn't. On one occasion I thought that I was going to intervene between my daughter and two young men. They whipped into a handicapped spot right in front of the main doors and jogged up to the entrance and disappeared in a few seconds. Whitney grabbed her cell phone and was going to take a picture of their car (without a handicapped tag or sticker) and wait outside to video them on the way out. I know that Whitney was upset on my behalf, but she was persuaded to let it go. After all, I know that her attitude was probably something that she had learned from me, back in the day. Hopefully she learned a new lesson about representing her heavenly father. We both were 99% sure those boys did not qualify for parking in a handicapped spot, but there may come a time when they learn that lesson the hard way.
Much Love Dennis
PS
Last night, my husband and I were sitting in the living room and I said
to him, "I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine
and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug."
He got up, unplugged the computer, and threw out my wine.
Dennis, I have to tell the truth, I do get very, very upset when I see that happen. So often it is a teenager with their parent or grandparents car or with the sign that hangs from the mirror. They jump out and sprint to the store without any evidence of a handicap. I have been known to say loudly, "Well, you know there are all kinds of handicaps.......like being mentally challenged, not being able to understand that it is not only against the law, but I thnk a sin, to steal a parking place that is reserved for someone who honestly needs it. Mother had heart challenges and COPD and had a disabled parking permit..........we never once used it. I would take her to the door and then I would go park and I would pick her up at the door. It also bothers me when someone takes a riding chair when they appear to just not want to walk. In fact I think many of them would benefit from some exercise. I'll swear I think if I ever did something like that the Good Lord would kick me in the backside. Dennis, I guess I better say a pray for me to be more tolerant and for others to be more caring.
ReplyDeleteLove and pryaers.
TJ
Next time I go to Affair of the Heart, could I borrow your handicapped sticker?
ReplyDeleteYou are always welcome to borrow the sticker, I have found that dark glasses & a white cane work well for the driver.
DeleteHa!
DeleteI was recently at Penn Sq.Mall and parking was limited, putting me way out there. It was a beautiful day and I did not mind the walk. Well, as I was walking up a car pulled into handicap spot and two guys and a gal jumped out and practically ran into the mall. I hollered and asked if they were handicapped and the girl looked at me rather strange and said yes. Then she pulled out her cell phone, called the driver of the car, and a handicap placard was hung on the mirror. They were not handicapped but evidently the car was used at times by someone who it. They were just to LAZY to walk.
ReplyDeleteI will say I never have used the handicap unless I am with my grandma, but until I started parking with her I didn't notice or pay attention to the "Van Accessible" handicap, now I even watch that.....thanks to you.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you don't use it when you don't have to speaks to the kind of people you and Cheri are. What a blessing it is to "know" you.
ReplyDelete