My Grandparents are gone now, but they were one day and two day's drive away and I couldn't afford even the bus fare out there. Well I couldn't do the nice little things I might for them. I couldn't visit them, bring them a treat or share a movie with them.

But I could be patient with the elderly here. I could take that extra moment or two if answering a question. On the road when I still had a car, I would treat any senior on the road as if they were my very own Grandparent. I realized that if they were indeed being cautious or might be a bit bewildered it wouldn't help things at all if I were to tailgate or honk my horn. I knew from my time doing pickup and delivery that being patient really did not affect my efficiency and in fact made my job more enjoyable.

I am lucky though. I can be a very patient man. I also learned to laugh on the road rather than get frustrated.

But I also expanded this to treat anyone on the highway as if they were someone I knew and cared for. Now I might laugh at the horse's butts who cut people off and I will report dangerous or drunk or doped drivers, I remain patient and polite.

I think in the end my Grandparents might have liked it that way.