Name: Michaela Kalos Schillinger
From: Santa Rosa, CA
Votes: 7
Micki
Kalos Schillinger
Word
Count: 500
Moments
in the Car Shape Who We Are
At one week old, my
dad put me in my car seat and drove me around, Bob Dylan wailing on
the radio; I quickly fell asleep. To this day, I love being in the
car, it influences who I am.
On average, Americans
spend 2.5 years of their lives in a car (Schmitz). Those 2.5 car
years influence who we become; whether our moments are good, bad,
joyous, or sad, whether we live or die.
My mom’s
experienced multiple, major car accidents. Luckily, she is alive and
healthy. To think a head-on collision could have forced a premature
goodbye makes me feel uneasy, yet extremely fortunate. “So
use all that is called fortune. Most men gamble with her, and gain
all, and lose all, as her wheels roll.” (Emerson).
When driving a
vehicle we risk our life and the lives around us, and do it with ease
and routine. Every morning I drive to school without a thought. Some
days I have to be more cautious, but do it without hesitation; I roll
the dice hoping to gain experience and be enlightened by the journey,
rather than lose it all. Driving is a huge responsibility, teaching
me to be responsible.
On August 14, 2011 a
drunk driver crashed into our house. Our white picket fence and small
vineyard prevented the driver from crashing into our front porch and
injuring me. Should I consider myself fortunate? The driver took a
wild gamble with his life and could have cost me mine. Drivers like
this cause my dad to worry about me daily. His concern isn’t my
driving or judgment; it’s other drivers. Initially, I didn’t
understand; he knew I was a good driver, with the best driver
education. Still, I must remain alert and aware of drivers around me.
When I got my
license, the feelings of happiness, freedom, and independence were
overwhelming. I drove to school, alone, for the first time. This
experience alone in a car shaped my worldview. Fifteen minutes into
my drive I realized how lonely I was; it was just me, the road, the
hills, the cows, my music. As an only child, being by myself should
be a familiar feeling; but that day, in the car with my musical
vibrations, I felt completely independent and alone. “My
respiration and inspiration, the beating of my heart, the passing of
blood and air through my lungs… the delight alone or in the rush of
the streets, or along the fields and hillsides” (Whitman).
Alone in the car I
think my true thoughts; I contemplate my life. I sing my heart out,
cry ‘til my lungs hurt, or scream with anger. The epiphanies and
realizations while driving are infinite and I look forward to these
moments throughout my life. All I can do is hope that a moment in
time doesn’t end my life. Still, I drive safe, not afraid. Maybe
it’s crazy but for time in my car, I will gladly gamble it all
away.
Citations:
Emerson,
Ralph Waldo, 1803-1882. Self-Reliance. White Plains, N.Y. :Peter
Pauper Press,
1967.
Print.
Schmitz,
Matt. “Americans Spend an Average of 17,600 Minutes Driving Each
Year.” AAA
NewsRoom,
6 Sept. 2016,
newsroom.aaa.com/2016/09/americans-spend-average-17600-minutes-driving-year/.
Whitman,
Walt. Song
of Myself By Walt Whitman.
1921.
