"Dad, you wave at people a lot when you're driving. I think it's because you're old." Now, as much as I'd like to believe my son was wrong about that first statement, I'm not sure he is.
A driver coming the other way had pulled further to his left to give me room to go around some workers on the side of the road. So yes, I waved in acknowledgement and thanks. It did give me the opportunity to talk to my son about being kind, and thankful.
And that I try to be considerate in return. I told him that my hope is also that by being considerate, and appreciating others when they are, too, it might lead, in a very small way, to a slightly nicer community. And it reminded me of driving in the country.
We try to get away for a few weeks every winter in the school holidays – recently that's been a series of driving holidays in the bush. If you've done the same, you'll know that there's a very strong correlation between the distance from a capital city, and the likelihood that you'll get a wave from an oncoming driver. Obviously impractical around town – you'd get RSI just going to and from work – but in the bush there's something really nice about acknowledging each other in that very small way.
Surprise, surprise: after I dropped the young bloke off at school, my thoughts turned to investing. It reminded me of what might be my favourite quote of all time (it's a crowded field, and I reserve the right to change my mind!), from Sir Isaac Newton: "If I have seen further than others.
