My mother, 81, has been itching to do something, go somewhere, do a little adventuring. But she’s 81. She’s a sturdy 81 other than not being able to walk very far and she’s not great with stairs.
Aside from that, rugged as they come. So, she thought it would be a good idea to put my 81-year-old stepfather in the Honda CRV and just drive. She had no plan, no destination.
Just drive. At age 81, she thought the two of them would become a Bruce Springsteen song. I tried to tell her that for two people who don’t even like leaving their apartment to go to Swiss Chalet, the open road may not be a great idea.
Still ...
she’s 81. She drives quite well and while my stepfather is no longer driving, he’s quite adept at flipping the bird when the situation calls for it. They are a good team.
Plus, at 81, they don’t have many more kicks at this particular can. Between mobility, insurance and overall health, I can’t imagine travelling will be an option for them for very much longer. And so, in a moment of weakness, or perhaps it was nostalgia as I recalled the family road trips my parents used to take us on — Hey kids! We’re going to Graceland! — I made an offer.
You know how sometimes you’ll put an offer out there knowing full well the person will say no? I asked my mother if she would like it if I drove them to Boston to see the Blue Jays play the Red Sox at Fenway Park. They are faithful Blue Jays fans and watch or record every game, even during this disappointing.
