Right On Red - Please Do It!

One of the most beautiful novels that I have ever read, has a quote that I will never forget. I think it might have been the first sentence in the book. I'm not sure, but it reads something like this. "Everyone is the love of someone's life."

I highly recommend this book, The Confessions of Max Tivoli, by Andrew Sean Greer. That quote really impacted me. Everyone is the love of someone's life. I believe it. No matter how rude or annoying.

This morning, as I sat in my car for what seemed like an hour, behind a cab driver in the right hand lane, at a red light, which did NOT have a sign saying not to turn on red, I couldn't help but think how much I despised this man at that particular moment and wished I could smack him in the head. Why didn't he turn and go??!!

People you can make a right on red unless there is a sign telling you not to. Jeeeeeeeeez!!!! I wish I were a more patient person and this had not annoyed me so much.

As I sat in my car, I tried to remember that there was some woman or man to whom this man is the love of their life. There are family and friends who love him. He may have children, nieces and nephews who adore him. There may be neighbors who enjoy his good graces and fine manners. Maybe he is planning a wonderful Valentine's Day for his beloved and daydreaming about it. Yeah...

Comments

Anonymous said…
That's a very nice sentiment. I'll remember it next time I gently push the car in front of me into traffic with my bumper because they refuse to turn on red :)
karmic said…
It is a nice sentiment to remember esp on friday when a lot of ppl are irritable and ready to bail.
amisha said…
what a good attitude... i need to remember this! i am very rarely in the car since i bike to work and i think it has made me even more nervous & worked-up when i do drive. next time i am flipping out on someone i will remember this sentiment!
Lotus Reads said…
"Everyone is the love of someone's life."

What a beautiful quote, Anali and yes, it is so true, too. It's helpful if you can remember that, especially when someone's getting on your nerves. I think you gave us a good example of how it works with the cab driver today.

It also makes me think of that old Connie Francis song, "Everybody's somebody's fool, everybody's somebody's baby", not quite the same, but close! :)
Suldog said…
Very nice. Now we need some way to get those people to think of us the same way!
FH said…
Yes we all are Anali!!:))
It was very nice of you to wait and think about him and his family.See,I told ya, you are beautiful inside and out!!:))
Hugs and have a wonderful weekend.
Gunfighter said…
Breathe... breathe....
jac said…
Hilarious end !!!
Anonymous said…
I think it is nice to think about the other person and that everyone is important to some one. And i think he could have made that right turn with caution on a red light.May be he was new in town and did not know he could. Have a good weekend Anali.
wheresmymind said…
Great postive thoughts...I'd still be thinking about the sound a tire iron would make on his windshield ;)
Sai said…
Hey Anali:
You are so kind and it is true that he might be the love of someone's life!

On the other hand he might be a complete jerk and perhaps had you smacked him on the head, a lot of people who know him might have thanked you for doing so!(Just kidding)
Dezel Quillen said…
Hello Anali,

You are too funny wanting to give someone a knuckle sandwich ....

Well at least the thought ended with sugar and spice and everything nice : ) ...very nice

Have a great weekend.

Dezel
vasilisa said…
Wow, you are patient! I'd probably be mad...

Though I could've been that driver... Sometimes I just get a wave of being stupid, and forget to turn when I should...

PS: you know, in some places in Europe, and up until recently in Quebec (Canada) you weren't allowed to turn right on red. Maybe he was a tourist?
Anonymous said…
We're also plagued by bad drivers around here, cabs and regular folks too! I can't decide which is more annoying: when they don't realize they have the right of way (like right turn on red with now sign) or when they completely disregard the rules (like cutting people off.)

Ari (Baking and Books)
Lisa Johnson said…
chris - LOL! I've fantasized about doing that many times! Just a little push!

sanjay - I think drivers in Boston are a tad irritable everyday!

amisha - Glad to help! ; ) Be careful biking! I see a lot of near misses.

lotus reads - That song is a good example too. Well, that's something else I can think about when I'm on my last nerve!

suldog - I guess everyone needs to read the book!

asha - You're such a sweeheart! You have a good weekend too!

gunfighter - You reminded me that I missed my yoga class this week. Maybe that is why I was annoyed too...
Lisa Johnson said…
jac - Well, that's the way it was...

lalitha - He couldn't have been too new in town, since he was driving a cab. It's his job to know the rules of the road!! Arrrghh!! I'm getting riled up again! Sorry!! : ) I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

wheresmymind - LOL! And what a beautiful sound that would have made!

sai - Well, I guess if he really needs a good smack in the head, someone is bound to give it to him eventually! : ) I'm just not the one!

dezel - LOL! A knuckle sandwich, sugar and spice! Sounds like a recipe!! : )

vasilisa - I did hear from someone a few years ago that you couldn't turn right on red in a bunch of places, some states here too.

He couldn't have been a tourist because he was driving a cab, so it was his job to know that he could turn right on red. He had no excuse, except for the daydreaming part. I admit, I've been guilty of doing the same thing and I was daydreaming...

ari - Welcome! I can't decide which is worse either. They are both pretty annoying!
Unfortunately, I am familiar with Boston traffic and share your pain here in L.A. But you tapped into something beautiful, and we're all benefitting from it. Thanks for sharing.
Peter N said…
You make everbody love you with your writing. Hi to your Mom...Peter
Lisa Johnson said…
susan - You're quite welcome!

peter n - Oh, you're so sweet! I'll tell her!
Unknown said…
OH, I know how you feel. I get really irritated too sometimes. At least you looked on the positive side of things.
Lisa Johnson said…
angela in europe - Welcome! I certainly try!

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