Hindsight

Old habits are hard to break.
If you recall, it was required that all riders have some sort of rear view mirror, for safety of course.
True to all the other advice given by Wise Tracy, and her band of merry staff, this advice was sound and true.
I can no more imagine driving my car without rear view mirrors,
than I can now ride even our "short loop" without my tiny mirror.
I relied on that backward vision to keep us protected, and provide valuable information.
I no longer had to strain my neck in my imitation of an owl,
just to see if the sound I heard was a semi or a Subaru.
(It makes a difference - believe me.)
My mirror was attached to my biking sunglasses - close and personal vision.
My eyes would sweep from vista to rear view,
automatically and unconsciously, admiring and alerting.
That hindsight saved my neck, my anxiety, and perhaps my life.
It became a habit...a good one.

Yesterday, I was walking through a busy parking lot, trying to remember where I set my car.
(Yes, I am old, and am three-forgotten-moments short of tying a bow on my antenna for easy detection.  Only, they don't have those anymore.)
There are cars and pedestrians everywhere.
My eyes lift up and sweep left to see what perils await,
only to catch myself in the realization
that not only do I not have those specific glasses on,
I am walking...not riding.

The only person who realizes this is embarrassing is me.

And now you...go ahead, laugh.  I did.