Comment
Consideration and patience are new found friends
by Michelle Minnoch

I find that the older I get, the more patient and considerate I become. Although that sounds like a good thing, it can also infringe onto other people that are not so much like I am.

Case #1 - I was at the IGA in Stroud last week and when I was through, I followed a woman out the door, who was struggling with a finicky wheel on her cart. I watched the fit woman, probably in her late 30s, unload the grocery bags into her Honda. Which was parked in a wheel chair spot.

Here's the thing: when I see cars parked in wheel chair spots, I actually look to see if there is identification on the vehicle, stating it is allowed to park in those spots. Walking past this woman, who was obviously fit and able bodied, I noticed there was absolutely no identification in her vehicle stating she was supposed to be parking in the closer spots. Then I saw something that just drives me nuts: after unloading her groceries, she left the cart against the outside wall of the store. The cart return itself was less than a metre away.

Again, although I may be working on my consideration, others may not be. But it's the little things, like parking where you are designated to, and returning carts to their proper place, only makes life easier for the next one who comes along.

I walked up to the lady and simply asked her why she was parking in a wheel chair spot, as not only did she look fit, her abs made me jealous.

She told me she was just running in for a few things (which required a cart, mind you) and wouldn't be in the spot too long. I mentioned that there are people in the area that may need the spot and she actually thanked me for pointing it out to her.

Since we were leaving the scene on a cordial note, I let the cart beef lie.

Case #2 - Driving to Franky's for lunch on Sunday, I had two cars behind me on Harbour Road in Lefroy. I slowed down because charging across the road was a deer - a doe. I pulled over, as did the two cars directly behind me, because coming out after her was a fawn. The baby, looking frightened, just stood at the side of the road for a few seconds, and I thought to wait a few seconds, as I was not sure if she would just skitter across the road. Well, the person in the car two vehicles back didn't see the point in waiting and sped past the deer.

Yes, the deer was visible. No, she wasn't moving much. But common sense would tell you to just wait a second or two: animals can't speak, so they react. That is what we are dealing with. Just wait - if the baby wants to be with her mama and makes what looks like a good judgement call by crossing the road, it could be fatal if the impatient driver doesn't wait it out.

I had a few more examples, but I didn't want to turn this forum into my soap box. Just remember that consideration and patience go a long way. Whether it's for the person who needs to use the wheelchair parking or for an animal who is just going along their merry day, patience is a friend and consideration it's buddy.

Let them into your life - you'll be much better off.

So will the person who actually needs to park close to the door.