Warning out for all drivers in the Wasatch Front….dense fog

I have been driving the streets of the greater Salt Lake area since the summer of ’94 when I relocated here from St. George to attend the University of Utah. Due to this fact, I have a tendency to drive on auto pilot while attending to other matters infiltrating my mind. At times I wonder how I actually arrived to my destination because I don’t remember the drive; not extremely safe, but accomplished quite frequently.

Last night however was an entirely new learning experience. I began my commute back home from Farmington and recognized that the normal 25 minute drive was going to be extended due to the fact that I could only see about 10 feet ahead of me. It seemed as though I was actually driving through clouds. The streets that I know like the back of my hand, became foreign and unfamiliar. All concentration had to be placed on a task which is typically second nature. Apprehension began to clutch my stomach.

Approaching what I hoped was my exit, a thought hit me (it only hurt for a second) and I began to laugh. It was crazy that I was crawling along streets that could drive in my sleep. I had driven them countless times and in every type of weather. This time only differed in the thickness of the fog. Why was I having such traumatic location issues this night? When I safely reached my home, I began going through my nightly routine ending by tucking myself into bed.

Normally when my head hits the pillow, I am out cold. However, my brain kicked into overdrive as I stared at the wall. I began to parallel the drive home with my life (don’t try this at home as it could be detrimental to your well being). I came to the conclusion that no matter how many times we “drive” through the streets of life and no matter how familiar they seem to be to us, there will be times that the fog is so thick that we won’t even recognize the way which we need to turn to change to the streets that take us home. Even though we have maybe have been there, done that, the weather changes which in accordance changes how we “drive”. Speed can be increased or decreased. Attention can be slight or intense. Visibility can be crystal clear or blocked. Roads can be dry, wet, icy, straight, curved, paved, or bumpy.

The environment or situation can and does change the “roads” of life. We could be on auto pilot some days, but on others all attention must be focused where we are going or we will miss our exit. There is comfort knowing that if we miss our exit that there is another one coming that may take us additional time and pain, but can also get us to our final destination.

Just my two cents for the day!