Traveling Route 66+Together: Pitstops and Potholes
Volume: Rattling? Where? Who?
Issue: After all these miles, time for a relationship tune-up?
Date: March 15, 2022
“When a man opens a car door for his wife, it’s either a new car or a new wife.”—Prince Philip
Traveling Route 66+ Together: Pitstops and Potholes
As the warmer weather heads toward a glorious spring, many of us think about the joy of car trips on beautiful country roads. (Just remember to close your eyes at the price tag when you pump gas!)
And just as you service your car before any long-distance ride, the Aging Automobile Association (AAA) recommends a Spring Tune-up to help aging partnerships as they travel the Route 66+ road of life. AAA offers a Road Trip Checklist and Safe Driving Tips to avoid any roadside breakdowns (requiring professional counseling), flat tires (other than the tires around one’s middle), or blown gaskets (oh no, not another fight)!
The Aging Automobile Association
Route 66+ Road Trip Checklist
A: Acknowledge your differences. He’s a Model T and you’re a Mustang, or he’s a ‘57 Chevy and you’re a Studebaker, or you’re an XKE and he’s an Edsel. Different styles, different purposes, different tastes, none better or worse than the other—well, except, maybe for the Edsel. Mutual respect is needed for your differing choices of cloth versus leather seats, or automatic versus four-on-the-floor. Choices are not better or worse, just different... as hard as it is not to believe that your way is way better!
A: Accept your differences. No one ever solved a disagreement by saying, “My way or the highway.” You can’t put fins on a ‘63 Nash. It’s difficult, if not impossible, for one aging partner to change another aging partner— one can only change herself and how she thinks about the aging partnership differences. Crank up the A/C in the car, stay cool, look out the window, and appreciate the scenery. Okay, your aging partner may be “wrong/cantankerous/stubborn,” but “Well, that’s how he is!” and, “This is how I am!” can go a long way on the journey. Sometimes the old man drives the car and sometimes the old woman drives the car… and the car still gets where it needs to go. (Even if it takes a very long time because he gets lost and refuses to ask directions… or is it you who is directionally challenged?! Oh well, who cares, blame Siri!)
A: Appreciate and applaud your differences. This is where the rubber meets the road. You have acknowledged your differences, you have accepted them, and now it’s your turn to appreciate and applaud them a few more miles down the road. Now that the new car smell has gone, hope that his pleasant aging male pheromones can get your engine going as you appreciate and celebrate your different aging partnership models and styles. And if the male pheromones don’t make up for the lost new car smell, get some Febreze to help with the closeness issues!
The Aging Automobile Association
Route 66+ Safe Driving Tips
The Aging Automobile Association offers these seven driving tips to help you navigate the Nascar-ness of your Route 66+ life.
1.Stay in your own lane. Swapping lanes can cause (house) wrecks.
2.Beer rules help. Decide beforehand who is the designated driver in life, or, better yet, take turns.
3.Use a turn signal. (or a hand signal—remember those?) to let your aging partner know you are changing directions.
4.Going around potholes is easier on the butt than going through potholes.
5.Have a supportive pit crew. Your 911 call automatically connects you with one of your Precious Old Dames!
6. Enjoy the ride as much as your dog does as she puts her head out the window and feels life breeze by.
7. Knowing there is a flag at the finish line can help you round each lap with patience, compassion, and forgiveness, as well as laughter.
ENJOY THE RIDE!
And, at the end of each day’s trip, may your hair be windblown, your smile wide, and your eyes sparkling!
Irene