Blog 3792 – 04.10.2026

Difficult Conversations 

In a nation and in a generation that was programmed to believe that owning and driving an automobile was our freedom one of the most difficult conversations is the one that goes Mom or Dad we don’t believe you should be driving anymore so we are taking you keys away.

Even younger persons who drink alcohol to excess may experience having a friends take their keys away and driving them home. No one wants to believe they have diminished capacity, but the reality is that it happens as sure as night follows day. If we live long enough it is mostly likely that someone if not the DMV will tell us that it is no longer safe nor sane for us to be allowed to operate a motor vehicle.

With the advent of self driving vehicles that may soon not be the wide spread problem it once was. Yet, with many people living longer and the many forms of dementia on the rise another even more disturbing and difficult conversations might be needed. I do not know of anyone who relishes the thought of losing the freedom of not just their car keys, but even their walking papers.

I recall visiting my beloved grandma Lilly in a nursing facility shortly before she died. She was happy and did not recognize me or my brother. But, those who have not lost so much of their memory are often less agreeable to losing so much person freedom.

When the time comes I hope I have the sense to accept it when someone suggests maybe I should not be driving anymore. Several friends remarked on reading my blog about working up on the roof that maybe I was too old for such undertakings. I am being very cautious and am trying to be realistic about the risk analysis. Perhaps, I will hire some younger person to do the work after all and keep my feet on the ground thereby postponing another difficult conversation someone else might have to have with my loved ones. 

Your friend and fellow traveler, 

David James White