The other night, Lynn and I stopped at Wendy’s for supper on our way home after being out taking pictures all day.  We parked next to the handicapped parking spot.  I walked our dog while she went in to get the food.  When I returned to the car, someone had parked next to us.  Not a problem.  Except……

She sat in her car for a good five minutes until her boyfriend showed up.  She then hopped out of the car and jumped into his arms without the slightest sign of any disability.  They went into Wendy’s to get their food. I continued to wait with my dog (the place was really busy that night).  Lynn brought the food and we sat there and ate.  According to the government, it’s not safe to eat while you drive, but apparently it’s okay to smoke.  That’s one for another time though.

The young lady and her boyfriend returned to her car and ate their food.  Still parked in the handicapped space.  When I went to drop our trash in the bin, I checked.  No plate sticker, and no pass on the dash.  Short version, no handicap except for an obvious social one.  So I made up the following little rhyme.  If you ever feel the need to park your healthy self in a handicapped spot I hope you think of this:

I PRAY YOU NEVER NEED THIS SPACE,

BUT IF YOU EVER DO;

 I HOPE SOME STUPID, LAZY JERK,

HAS PARKED IN IT LIKE YOU.

This is for our friend Jennifer who NEEDS that handicapped space.  I like to think that if people knew, even briefly, what it’s like to literally not be able to walk the extra ten feet from the regular parking spot they would never do it again.  Trust me when I tell you that one of Jenn’s fondest dreams is to be able to walk those ten feet.  Unfortunately, right now, she can’t.

So if you aren’t handicapped, don’t park there.

Cheers, Winston