Caller's words remained with her

By Fran Blank: I have taught and worked in the horticulture business for 25 years. There have been times when I had to drag myself to the next class. There have been times when I didn't know how I could possibly teach the same class over and over and somehow find the patience to answer the same questions over and over. But, always, the people that attend my classes bring me joy, I learn from them, and end up enjoying every class. Lessons from fellow gardeners have truly impacted my life.

I will always remember a very special encounter I had one afternoon when I was working for the Ohio State University Extension Horticulture Department in Elyria. I spent the afternoon on the phone answering homeowner questions and was tired and ready to go home. I decided to take one more call and that changed my day.

The caller was an elderly man with a question I had already heard several times that day. We chatted and after lots of back and forth questions we figured out a solution to his concerns. I was hanging up when he asked me if I was done for the day. I answered that, as soon as I hung up, I would be on my way home. He said, "Drive carefully, somebody loves you."

I remember that I was speechless for a second and than simply said a quick "Thank you, I will." His words have stuck with me for years.

"Drive carefully, somebody loves you!" I wish every driver would remember those words.

Our family lost a brother/uncle/son this past year in a terrible pick-up truck/semi-truck accident. Mark and his family were long time members of a Quaker church and I don't know what we expected as we traveled to that church for services but we were astounded at the attendance and the love that engulfed us.

The pews were overflowing. During the service, friends, co-workers, and family were given time to share their remembrances of Mark. We sat in a wonder of silence as we listened to stories about how Mark's life affected others.

We will never know what happened as Mark traveled to work that early morning. For some reason he didn't stop at a familiar stop sign and hit the side of a semi. He died instantly. In that sad instant many lives were changed. Mark left his wife, son and daughter-in-law, and daughter. He left an elderly father, three brothers and their families, and a large extended family. He left so many friends we lost count. The sadness rippled and rippled.

Was an instant of inattention the probable cause? Was he tuning the radio? Did he drop something and reach for it? Did something outside his window grab his attention? Did he have his cell phone with him? We will never have answers. What we do have is the ache of loss and an empty place at family gatherings. We miss him.

I wanted to shout these words to a fellow driver chatting on her cell phone when she almost broadsided our car in a parking lot. I want to shout these words to young drivers who flaunt their confidence and have no problem driving too fast in and out of traffic. One second of inattention and so many lives change forever. Again, indescribable sadness ripples and ripples.

I wish I could thank that caller for his words. I share them with you as a gift of the season. Think about these five words and think about the people in your life. Pay attention to other drivers, buckle-up, use your turn signal, and turn on your lights. Drive carefully, somebody loves you. It's true, over and over, it's true.