So often I have wondered what compels a person to shoot their mouth off at a complete stranger. In most instances the occurrences are related to driving. More than often it’s left to shouting or hand gestures. But it’s even more mystifying when it comes from a senior.

Not long ago I was driving through a double-sided, narrow parking lot here in our valley. As I proceeded down my path, a car driven by a person I will identify as Grandma barreled backward out of her parking spot, almost hitting the back end of my car.

I turned to look and much to my surprise Grandma was on her cell phone, leering at me. She guiltily slammed her phone down and began to shout at me through her rolled up window. What followed you ask? The bird! Unleashed like a cannon!

All I could do was laugh. I have a healthy respect for my elders, which I don’t feel is a sentiment shared by most, including today’s youth. I understand the basic need to voice a frustration, but unless you’re an FBI profiler, you don’t know who you are dealing with.

Maybe I presume too much, that through all of those years of understanding, self-control would be a strong point among seniors.

My words may seem inhospitable, but I am concerned that spouting off at the wrong person could turn tragic, as we have often seen in today’s shock-value-driven media. My advice for all is this: Think before you speak or act. Or don’t react, just simply leave it alone. For me, I write about it.