On Turning 18 : Lessons on the Road

Craig and I just became 18!!! Yeah!

My mind is filled with many thoughts, but one in particular is about the uncertainty and responsibility that come with the start of adulthood. In this writing, I will explore these thoughts further.

A sample voter ballot, likely sent to help me prepare for the upcoming election, is sitting in front of me. It strikes me that I’m now able to vote in the upcoming election. I’m stepping into adult responsibilities.

It brings to mind a story that often comes up at our family dinner table, a moment my dad calls the “Class Act.”

I was there when it happened, so let me share it with you.

I had just gotten my learner’s permit and was driving with my dad to Kansas City for a soccer game. It was going to be a long four-hour drive. As we slowed near a familiar intersection in our neighborhood, the car in front of us dodged abruptly to avoid large bricks scattered across the road. I tightened my grip on the wheel and zigzagged around the rubble, following the other car’s path. As we waited at a red light, we saw another car approaching from the opposite direction. It suddenly stopped, and a woman stepped out. She began moving the bricks—first attempting to kick them aside, though they were too heavy, then bending down to pick them up one by one.

Then it hit us—that woman was my mom!!!!!!!!

I lowered the window and shouted, “Mom!” She looked up, smiled, and said, “Drive safe! Call me when you get to Kansas City!” Then, she turned back and continued clearing the rest of the bricks, while cars passed by without stopping.

For the rest of the drive, my dad and I couldn’t stop talking about it. Would we have done the same thing in her position? I wasn’t sure if I would’ve.

When we got back the next day, we asked her what made her stop. She explained that her car had hit one of the bricks earlier, and she was frustrated. She knew others would hit them too, so she decided to stop and clear the road. Despite her irritation, she did what was right, even though over 20 or 30 cars just passed her by without stopping.

That moment stayed with me. It showed me what a “class act” truly is—taking responsibility for others, even when it’s inconvenient.

This wasn’t the only time I witnessed such a selfless act on the road. When I was around seven, our car was hit by a driver who fled the scene. We were in shock, but a nearby driver in a Mercedes Benz chased the car and called 911, tracking the hit-and-run driver. Thanks to him, the driver was caught. When my dad thanked him, he humbly said, “I just tried to be a good citizen.”

By reflecting on these experiences, I’ve come to realize that while I often volunteer and help within my school community, my sense of responsibility hasn’t yet extended to the larger world. Maybe that’s because I’ve been protected by my parents. But now, as I look at the ballot, I feel something shift. It’s time for me to start thinking about my role in society and how I can grow into someone who acts for the greater good —someone who embodies the kind of “class act” my mom and that Mercedes driver demonstrated.

That’s all for today. As I have reflected on my thoughts and written a blog post, I’m simply going to enjoy the first day of my 18th year and eat some cake! Talk to you soon!