The Unwanted Limo Ride

It was my sister’s 14th birthday in Belleville, Ontario and despite the gray skies and the choppy waters on the Bay of Quinte, we woke up in anticipation. For once, I had forgo my selfish “I-wish-I-was-getting-presents-too” attitude and was excited for her. For whatever reason, 14 had been the year Tara had been looking forward to the most and it was finally here!

We had even got ready for school on time and were waiting for my Mom to take us to the bus stop but she was slow moving with a smile on her face. A glance out the window finally revealed why the smile was there – a long, gray stretch limo was pulling into the drive. My sweet Grandpa had decided to use the family-business limo to pick up my sister and escort her to school in style on her birthday. My Mom turned to Tara and I with a big grin, but instead of being elated, or happy, we both began to whine. “Why did Grandpa do that??? We don’t want to ride in the limo!” To my sister and I, the limo stood out, it was showy and we didn’t want to be noticed. We wanted to be “cool” and fit in with everyone else. Even though it was Tara’s special day, we wanted to ride in the red Ford mini-van parked in the drive way.

My Mom was clearly disappointed with our attitudes and said, “Well it’s too late now. This means a lot to your Grandpa. He wanted to do this for Tara.” We glanced out the window again, and there was my Grandpa, dressed up in a suit, a smile on his face, and even a chauffeur cap in his hands. With a huff we grabbed our backpacks and walked out the door. We tried to act happy but my Grandpa’s smiling face went to a confused expression due to our lack of excitement. He opened the door with a flourish and Tara and I hopped in with backward glances at our mom. We were sooooo embarrassed to drive through town in this limo.

My Grandpa was a big tease and tried to crack jokes with us the whole way. I don’t really remember us saying too much during the 15-minute drive to our school. When we pulled into the school, we were a bit late so the grounds had cleared as everyone was inside but we could see faces pressed up against the windows as people looked in awe at the large limo in the roundabout. My sister and I thanked Grandpa and rushed inside as well. The moment we stepped into our classroom (Grand 7 & 8 were in the same room at our small school) kids rushed up to us. “Wow! I’ve always wanted to ride in a limo! That’s so cool.” Tara and I smiled and nodded still embarrassed as we sat down in our seats. We didn’t see the grand and wonderful gesture my Grandpa was trying to make. Instead we were focused on our pride.

I never rode in a limo again until my Grandpa’s funeral last year. Then it was an honor as my family huddled together with hugs and holding hands as we remembered and loved this man who was always playful, enjoyed a good joke, and tried to make us laugh whenever he could. I just thought of all of this today as I realized how much I still let my pride and insecurities dictate my mood in various situations. What a way to miss out on what God is trying to offer us because of our fears. I just hope when insecurity strikes again I’ll see my Grandpa’s smile under his chauffer’s cap and remember to smile back as I embrace what’s in front of me.