I cannot drive due to a seizure disorder. I rely on public transit to get from point A to point B. Well-intentioned friends will occasionally provide me with rides, and I am grateful, esp. if they are to places that I can’t access via transit. However, friends have ALSO taught me the following lesson through their behavior:
Unless it is an out of town medical trip, you can’t really rely on us. We’ll say in a conversation that we’re going to the grocery and pick you up (or maybe get some items you need), but THIS MIGHT NOT HAPPEN. And I get it. Things come up. Life happens. But unlike you, I can’t hop in a car to go get whatever. I have to call transit in advance and take a bus route that is lengthy, or walk to wherever. So I’m now asking my friends this new year to please NOT volunteer this sort of thing. I’m tired of dealing with “thoughts and prayers” offers….if you get what I mean. Offers that are insubstantial and might not materialize. Life is uncertain enough without this sort of guess work.
Transit has its own problems, fer shure. I’ve been forgotten by THEM, too. But transit I can hold accountable…and do, btw. I will write transit up and submit a written formal letter of complaint if they miss me more than 3 times in one month. Hey, their policy holds passengers accountable….I feel that WE should do the same to them! Let the powers-that-be know that someone is paying attention! Document, document, document! But by and large, transit is reliable, and I know that I can get where I need to go. It might take longer and be convoluted. But no-one ever said life would be easy, fair, or quick.
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