The buzz around the neighborhood is all about me, and honestly, I wouldn’t blame anyone for talking if they saw me out there in the street, waving my arms at speeding cars like a woman possessed. But trust me, my outburst has a very valid reason: the driving habits in our area are downright alarming.
Every day, vehicles race down our residential streets where children frolic and play as if they were puppies. The stark red stop signs seem to be mere suggestions to them. I’m not talking about a cautious roll-through; I mean barreling past without a care in the world. Unless these drivers are in a hurry to deliver a baby, their speed is a serious issue.
On any given day, my front yard is filled with three to eight kids running bases, kicking soccer balls, tossing frisbees, or having water balloon battles. I often find myself standing amidst the laughter, ice pops in hand, yelling “Slow down!” or “Are you serious?” at the offending cars. My children have even picked up a few new, unsavory words from my rants. It’s not unusual for my five-year-old to echo my thoughts, asking, “What’s your rush, jerk?” It’s a mix of shame and pride.
At times, I take a more assertive stance and step into the street to force drivers to slow down. There have been moments when I snapped photos of license plates, and I’ve even found myself embarrassed to realize I was scolding a neighbor. However, I quickly remind myself that my children’s safety comes first.
While I’ve received countless dirty looks and rude gestures, no one has confronted me — until today. As I unloaded groceries in front of my house, a sleek black car pulled up beside me. The window rolled down, and a stranger called out, “I’ve been wanting to talk to you for months.”
Uh-oh.
“Yeah, you yelled at me to slow down.”
Oh no. “Really?” I thought about how tough I sounded from a distance, but now I was nervous she might be angry. “Uh, well, I’m not sure…Um…”
She continued, “I just wanted to apologize and let you know you were right.”
“Oh.”
She explained that she had given me a hand gesture at the time but later realized she had been driving way too fast, especially in a neighborhood full of kids. She had been waiting to tell me she now drives much slower and with more caution.
Well, hot dang!
So while my kids chase after balls, you’ll find me out there, too, chasing down speeding cars. A mom’s got to do what a mom’s got to do.
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In summary, my neighborhood saga serves as a reminder that awareness and responsibility on the road can make a huge difference for families. It’s all about ensuring a safer environment for our little ones.