Friday, August 5, 2011

phobia phright

Once upon a time, there was a Little Girl with a blonde ponytail who loved to take walks with her favorite little red wagon.

Little Girl had a Grammy who loved her dearly.  She loved to visit her Grammy and play outside with the red wagon.

Grammy lived close to the highway, and her driveway was not very far from that highway.

Grammy would tell her little granddaughter not to go near the highway with the red wagon.  At first, Little Girl listened.  But soon she got carried away with all the fun she was having and walked closer and closer to the highway.

One day she got all the way to the end of the driveway.  Grammy started looking for Little Girl, and found her close to the highway.

What was Grammy to do?  She thought and thought about it and then decided to teach Little Girl why she shouldn't go near the highway.

So Grammy took Little Girl's hand and together they walked to the end of the driveway, up to the very edge of the highway.  Little Girl held tight onto her Grammy's hand.  Grammy began to explain why she shouldn't go near the highway.  Grammy explained that there were lots of cars and big trucks on the highway, and that Little Girl could get hurt very badly if she wandered out into traffic.

Little Girl listened very carefully to her Grammy.  As she listened, she watched the cars and trucks go by.  The trucks were very big, and as they drove by, Little Girl could feel the wind hit her face as they rushed past.  This scared Little Girl.  She realized how dangerous these trucks could be, and how much bigger than her they were.

Grammy stood by the road with Little Girl for several minutes, letting her feel the power of the machines as they went by.  Then Grammy led Little Girl back down the driveway to the house.

Little Girl never went near the highway again.


Little Girl grew up to be me.  I realize now what an important lesson my Grammy was teaching me that day.  But I also have a phobia about being near trucks now.  I cannot drive side by side on the highway without finding my heart beating faster, and anxiety rising up in my throat so palpably that I feel as though I will choke on it.  That was a very important lesson Grammy taught me.  I was about 4 or 5 when it happened.  Over 50 years later I remember it as though it was yesterday.


Thank you Grammy for loving me enough to take the time to teach me a lesson.  And making me realize that I never wanted to be a truck driver.  Ever.  :D

~cath
Twitter @jonesbabie
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16 comments:

  1. Joy Page ManuelAugust 5, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    My son is now 4. You've made me wonder how I'm showing my love for my son, teaching him lessons, and simultaneously creating phobias for him that will last a lifetime. I'm sure I'm damaging him one way or the other, lol! ;-)

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  2. UnknownAugust 5, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    We avoid 'things' because they elicit negative emotions, like fear. If you don't learn to associate something negative with an object or a situation, I'm uncertain you could learn to avoid it. So ... what's a parent to do?

    Having said that, I don't think your particular fear rises to the level of phobia, but it is quite intense. Pavlov would suggest that every time you're on the road with trucks and nothing bad happens, your fear should be weakened a bit. Are you better than you once were about highway driving?

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  3. photos by janAugust 5, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    Wonderful lesson you were taught. Wonderful Grammy you had. Fear or not you haven't gotten hit by a truck;)

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  4. Cerebrations.bizAugust 5, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    If they are interstate truckers, you can be pretty certain they worry as much about you as you do! Most of those guys are pretty good drivers- and pretty courteous, too! It's the local ones that should scare the bejesus out of you (and they are not subject to Federal rules of driving, etc.)

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  5. MurielAugust 6, 2011 at 1:53 AM

    A powerful lesson! I am also scared of trucks, but I don't know where it is coming from.

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  6. AaronAugust 6, 2011 at 4:19 AM

    cath,
    I think most people have a fear when they are side by side with a truck on the highway....it stems in my mind on the possibility of something bad happening.....best advice, floor it, smile and enjoy he beauty of that big truck in your rearview :)

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  7. AnonymousAugust 7, 2011 at 7:02 PM

    Fear is often viewed as a negative emotion, but in all of us, it keeps us from doing harmful things. Your grandmother was there with you as she taught you the lesson. Thank goodness you didn't learn the hard way, with a near accident or such! xox

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  8. cathy jonesAugust 8, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    @Joy Page Manuel I'm sure Grammy didn't intend to make me fear trucks. She just wanted to make sure I stayed safe. And personally, I'd rather be alive and deal with the fear than face the alternative. Thanks for your comment Joy.
    ~cath xo

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  9. cathy jonesAugust 8, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    @Thom Brown Grammy did the right thing Thom. The fear (yes it is not a real phobia, I used some dramatic license there) is much better than it used to be. The day I shot those truck photos I was on the rider side and it felt just a little too close for comfort. I found myself leaning instinctively toward Steve, and wishing he would hurry up and MOVE ON. :D

    Thanks for your insight.
    ~cath xo

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  10. cathy jonesAugust 8, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    @Jan Yes Grammy was wonderful, and did her very best to take care of me. I think she did an excellent job, and I still miss her very much.
    ~cath xo

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  11. cathy jonesAugust 8, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    @Roy A. My brother in law was a trucker and worried about people and how they drove. He was an excellent driver. If we were going somewhere and following Donnie and my sister, he made sure we never got separated in traffic. What we have to watch around her are the coal truck drivers. They are all about speed, and many drive recklessly.
    Thanks for the insight Roy!
    ~cath xo

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  12. cathy jonesAugust 8, 2011 at 7:34 AM

    @MuMuGB Maybe just the size and speed of them? They can be overwhelming. :D
    ~cath xo

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  13. cathy jonesAugust 8, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    @Aaron That is kind of what I do Aaron, in a safe way of course. ;D
    ~cath xo

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  14. cathy jonesAugust 8, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    @sweepyjean Yes, and the odd thing is I very seldom didn't listen to Grammy and require "lessons". That is the only time I can think of. I was just in my own world and not paying attention to where I was going, and she knew she had to get through to me. And she did!
    ~cath xo

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  15. MaryhocamAugust 9, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    Practical lessons are always the best. What a wonderful way of teaching you the dangers of the highway. It left a nervousness but also a healthy respect. Do you think if roles were reversed now that you would pass on this lesson in the same way?

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  16. cathy jonesAugust 9, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    @hocam you better believe I would Mary! My Grammy was a wise woman, and taught me many things. And she raised the man who was the best dad in the world. :D
    ~cath xo

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