Do you ever wonder how you will die?

This topic emerged today as I sat twice this afternoon in the back of cabs sailing at high speeds around the city of Chicago. Let me preface by stating that I really appreciate a speedy ride to my desired destination as much as the next person, but I am particularly fond of arriving in one piece.

I have been making a couple of trips each week to the city for the past month and a half. The peaceful train ride is my favorite part of the trek, during which I have been able to get a tremendous amount of work done. Instead of three hours wasted, I find the time to be incredibly productive. Perhaps it is the gentle chugging along that gets my mental juices flowing....Sorry, back to the cabbies.

The cab rides are a completely different experience. I love to get from point A to point B in expeditious fashion, but there have been a few moments when I nearly suggested that my driver lighten the lead load in his foot. Between the jet propelled excelerations and near vomit inducing sudden stops, I have had visions of my spinal chord snapping in two at the neck or of my face slamming into the plexiglass that separates me from the driver. I really can’t afford the amount of plastic surgery it would take to fix that kind of boo-boo.

The continuation of my life is not the only issue. Have you ever seen how close the drivers come to picking off the pedestrians in the crosswalks? I swear there must be a daily contest back at the dispatch for the driver who can successfully clip a person without drawing blood. I would love to know where most of the cab drivers get their behind the wheel instruction. Their lack of road etiquette reminds me of the elderly drivers in Florida. The excuses of the latter group includes poor eyesight, loss of coordination, and the general attitude of “I am too old to give a fig, so deal!” But that is an entirely different blog topic.

So the next time you are in a cab with one of the nation’s finest behind the wheel, I wish you God’s speed and a safe journey, if it is possible to achieve both.

Thanks for reading and be well.