The Dream That May Built

Jayla Diaforli

The Dream That May Built

Sharing the road; the bright yellow signs read as you drive by. The
importance of everyone’s safety on the road begins with drivers ed;
instructed in school before your 16th birthday. Fresh in our minds,
so eager to drive and become one with the roadway. As new drivers,
the goal of safe driving is imprinted deeply within us, and we are
instructed to be safe when getting behind the wheel.

Drivers ed is important in reducing the number of deaths as a
result of driving because it all begins with a lesson. A few words
that we must follow; it is the drivers’ job to be cautious and to
be careful on the roadway; not reckless nor hazardous. Every year,
every month, every day, driving is a main cause of death. It all
begins with that first lesson. When getting behind the wheel, the
words should remain bold in our minds, telling us to be safe as we
begin driving. Reducing the number of car crash related deaths is
possible if our minds are fresh and we think when we drive.

For the sake of yourself and others, there is a way to reduce this
rapid growing number. Make a checklist of good driving habits you
must utilize before you start the car. Make sure each set of points
is checked off and any sort of distraction is out of view. Keep your
memory fresh, continue to educate yourself if all else fails;
such as getting more in depth driving lessons, driving school, or a
driving instructor.

May 12th, 2019.

A dream came and swept me away on a cloudy Sunday morning. I treated
my mother to Starbucks; Mother’s Day. My keys dangling in my
pocket, I put my hood up, drops of rain falling down viciously,
hitting the old pavement. My 1999 Toyota Solara stares at me with
wondering eyes, as I hop into the driver’s seat. I drive cautiously
as the rain began to come down harder, time escapes me while driving
on I-195 East, visiting my grandmother and my family for Mother’s
Day. I arrive at my destination.

On my way to visit my mother at church for the 7:00 service,
vigorous drops of water, now sunken into the cracked pavement of the
road; I am driving home down these familiar roads. 6:25 PM, entering
onto the ramp. I look past my windshield and I see bumps and cracks
in the road, I wonder to myself silently, “I hope my tires don’t
get caught on the bumps” not even a second later my breath was
swept away, one with the raging winds and the grey skies.
Uncontrollably spinning, my 1999 Solara was headed right for the
tree. And so it went. I woke up, not knowing what just happened, I
got out of my now smoking car, and I proceeded to get back in so I
could drive away. I couldn’t see the trees. I couldn’t see
anything. It was black.

I get out stumbling a few times, my numb body tingles with a sweet
pain; fixing my clothes as the drops of water hit my face. Only this
time, the water is salty; escaping my eyes. A white sports car stops
and tells me they will call 911 for me. The nice women offering and
helping me into their car to wait. I was afraid. Afraid to burden my
loved ones with the news. I call my father and he arrives at the
scene. The officer and my father talk, as I overhear their
conversation, walking around aimlessly, broken and distraught. “Uh,
it is very weird that your daughter didn’t hit the tree headfirst.
The tire marks show she was going right for it”, exactly.
Something, I believe it was God, pulled me in the opposite direction.
My car swerved at the last second; emerging itself into the tree on
the drivers side. I cried. Too much. I was scared to let my mother
know what had just occurred as she waits patiently at the church for
me. She cries and I can’t bear to hear it.

7:02.

Driving to the hospital, my mother cries and holds my hand, “God
this is the best gift I could have ever received on Mother’s Day,
thank you” The tears stream down her face.

The weeks that follow, I couldn’t hear, think, speak properly. In and
out of school with a concussion. I struggled to get all the work the
teachers threw at me done. I wanted to graduate with all A’s and
B’s and I did. I worked past the cloudiness just to finish up my
senior year with great grades. I had to hold my head in order to read
the fine print of a book I was assigned because it hurt, badly.

My car was totaled, the car that my mother struggled to afford and
purchase for me. It still sits in my backyard, not sure when I can
afford another one. So I walk to where I need to be, I run, my dream
of music and my dream of being a performer still remain. The memories
of this day will never be erased. I still have a smile on my face.

For the future, I know I can be more careful as a driver. I know that
situations like this can be inevitable and unavoidable. I know I
could have done something differently while on the roadway. Ever
since that day, I take precautions steps and use a checklist to
better myself as a driver when I get another car. I am blessed and
thankful that I was given the opportunity to stay, others have not
made it.

Safe driving begins with you. Safe driving is learned. Safe driving
is a privilege. While on the road, there are many steps you and
others can take to ensure that each and every time you drive, you
make it to and from safely. Put your cellphone in the glove box and
anything that is a triggering distraction. Check your mirrors, your
surroundings, and most importantly, be kind. Be kind to others on the
road. Everyone and anyone.

Dreams are built by actions.