On one of our evenings, we decided to take the girls to see a movie at the drive-in theatre, a place I hadn't been to in eons. We packed up sleeping bags and pillows and bug spray and headed out. I had pulled off the directions (from my BlackBerry) so knew it was only a short distance away. Besides, sis had been there before, so getting there was a no brainer. That was of course until about half an hour down the road and I noticed the exit sign mileage numbers getting lower when they should be getting higher. As it turned out there were two drive-ins in the area and sis was taking us to the wrong one.
Not to be ones to stress over the little things, we u-balled around and headed back in the direction from which we came, but now had to make up time by driving a tad above the speed limit. Really - just a tad.
The road we were travelling on was a four lane highway with two lanes heading in both directions separated by a cement barricade. There is an unwritten rule of the road where slower traffic is to stay in the right most lane, changing only into the left lane when necessary, example to pass or to avoid emergency vehicles that are on the shoulder. I believe the majority of drivers adhere to this quite well. On this particular night, it was no different and the traffic was moving along at a respectable rate of speed quite typical for a Sunday afternoon (however this was Friday night). Despite this we, in our little family hatchback car, had managed to stay for the most part in the left hand lane while we passed numerous vehicles giving us hope that we would arrive before dusk.
Another rule of the road is to check your mirrors before passing. Simple enough however rarely checked at the rate suggested by driving instructors. I remember being taught that my eyes should never stop moving. They should go from front, to rearview mirror to sideview mirror in a continuous fashion every 2 seconds. I fully understand in theory but seriously ... keeping my eyes moving like that constantly for any length of time would give me a headache plus it reminds me of when I was a kid and you crossed your eyes and your mom would say "If you do that long enough your eyes will stay like that". Well what if my eyes continually moved in a circular fashion? How attractive would that be? Anyway, I digress.
Just when we thought that we had made up our lost time and we had hope that we would get to see the trailers at the beginning of the show, a car suddenly changed lanes into the fast lane to pass the car in front of them. Luckily for the quick reflexes of my sis, we managed to avoid eating his rear bumper but now we were back moving at a snail's pace. The driver of the car barely increased his speed and was for the most part just blocking our path. After brakely heavily, our only recourse would be to suck it up and wait ... and wait ... and wait.
The universe in all its wisdom has a way of reminding us to take our time. It will slow down traffic by having some random driver pull in front of you or it may simply place some construction along your path. Whatever it chooses, we are not to question why. We need to embrace those moments and know this is what is meant to be.
As the seconds seemed to turn into minutes, frustration started to set in starting with the shaking of our heads, a "COME ON" and then a few choice words lip synced in an exaggerated fashion in hopes the driver could read lips through the rear view mirror. It didn't work. The car didn't move. We might as well have been in an invisibility cloak as buddy clearly couldn't see us. We practiced a few deep breathing exercises and just waited for the universe to catch up to us and show us the path. And then it happened. There it was. The sign.
I started laughing at the car. I noticed it had a computer company advertising sign on its rear window along with a phone number. What are the chances I thought, that the number would actually be the driver's cell phone and he would have it with him? So I grabbed my cell phone and started dialling. My sister asked who I was calling. I told her I'm phoning the phone number on the back of the car and I'm going to ask them to move over. I'm not sure my sister really believed me at first but that soon changed.
The phone rang and a young man answered. I could tell from the background noise that it was coming from a car so I asked him if he was driving right now. Awkward pause "Yes". I told him that was good because we were the car behind him. Eyes suddenly appeared in the rear view mirror. "Okay?" he questioned. I then politely explained we were in a bit of a hurry to get to the drive-in before it started and if he would kindly pull into the slow lane and allow us to pass we would be really grateful. Very Long Pause then the right hand indicator light started blinking and he changed lanes. As we passed, all five of us girls gave him huge smiles and a big wave of appreciation. Giggling away yet again we were off and destined to make it to the the show.
We watched the movies but for the life of me I can't recall what they were. What I remember are the oodles of dragonflies that were present and keeping the bugs away. It was beautiful. Spiritual. I remember our girls sitting outside under the stars and stuffing their faces full of drive-in popcorn. And I remember our friend on the highway that made it all possible.
A couple of things were reinforced to me that day. One, I am grateful that I live in Canada where I had no fear of a Road Rage incident and believed in the kindness of our fellow man. And two, that the Universe unfolds as it should. We just need to trust in it and believe in its signs.
