I had just passed a semi and was entering into auto-mode when the car in front of me braked, turned on its blinker, and drove off onto the shoulder.
At first, I thought it was going to turn–on Highway 30, it’s normal for cars to pull off onto the shoulder prior to a turn, allowing those behind them to pass on their way to wherever they’re going.
But as I got closer, I realized that there was no road on which to turn off–and that the vehicle belonged to the Nebraska State Patrol.
Huh, I thought, wonder what he’s doing.
He pulled out behind me and turned on his lights.
It was my turn to pull off.
When he knocked on my window and asked for my driver’s license, registration, and insurance, I took forever to get my insurance. It’d been a long day in Grand Island and my eyes couldn’t focus on the date on the insurance card. I didn’t want to accidentally give the officer an expired insurance card.
But, at last, I determined that it was the current card. I handed it over, wondering if the officer would ever tell me why he’d pulled me over.
At last, he revealed: “I pulled you over for speeding. Speeding while passing is illegal in the state of Nebraska.”
He took my information back to his cruiser. I laid my head back on my headrest and wished for it to all be over.
Passing. I should have known. I always pass fast, eager to get back onto the right side of the road as quickly as possible. I should have known that would be illegal.
He came back at last, his clipboard in hand.
“I’m going to have to give you a ticket,” he said, “because you were going so fast.”
“You slowed down right after passing–I know it wasn’t your intent to speed. I took five miles off the speed I clocked you at–that’ll save you fifty dollars.”
He gave me all the details, had me sign his copy of the ticket, wished me a safe drive.
I put away my license, registration, and insurance card. I laid the ticket on the seat beside me. I started the car and drove off, already starting to tear up.
He had been the first non-institutionalized potentially-single man I’d met in months.
Will it ever get easier, being a single woman in a world with no prospects?
Easier? Hmmm. It’s easy to SAY, “Contentment is required.” But when a person is MADE to be relational and also feels a call and design to be married….I don’t think I can say it gets easier.
There is a hope that keeps one going, productive and moving forward. Hope helps. Seasons and moments probably can be easier.
I see posts like these and it always frustrates ME because I think marriage is for most and it frustrates me that solid, CHristian men who put God and family first are so very rare.
Aww, I’m sorry, Bekah. ((((hugs)))) to you across cyberspace.