THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 16, 1996 TAG: 9601160391
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Guy Friddell
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Buckled my seat belt in the car the other evening. For good this time. With the help of a 6-year-old. We were launching on a trip to get milkshakes for two brothers, one 6, the other 4, and just before we started their father said, ``Put on your seat belt.''
He always instructs me and I comply. But in most other settings, driving alone, I haven't bothered with seat belts.
So I drove away under his gaze on our great quest for milkshakes.
We enjoyed the shakes. The 4-year-old ordered chocolate, but when his brother asked for vanilla, he switched to that flavor. The 6-year-old is the 4-year-old's measure for anything he attempts.
We sat in the car, watching fleet-footed women dashing about with loaded trays. The two brothers identified the cars around us, which amazed me. In my ancient eye, they all seem from Mars.
Finally, time to leave, I turned the ignition and shifted gears; but the 6-year-old piped up, ``Buckle your seat belt, Guybo.''
I did, thanking him.
Not since his admonition have I failed to buckle up. That young voice, clear, compelling, convinced me of my folly.
Even before that I wore a seat belt now and then when conveying precious cargo.
As I did a decade ago at the request of Gov. Robb who appointed 30 citizens to study public education.
Six of us rode together: William B. Spong Jr., former president of the law school at William and Mary and, later, the head of Old Dominion University; Tim Sullivan, now president of William and Mary; businessman Lawrence Smith of Suffolk; Rabbi Larry Forman of Norfolk; Lawrence I'Anson, former chief justice of the Virginia Supreme Court; and me, the driver.
The study lasted two years as we met in dozens of places throughout Virginia.
For me, this was fine company. All five were excellent storytellers. Judge I'Anson told about the new preacher who gave his first sermon in Southwest Virginia. He ran way overtime until an old mountaineer took out a pistol and laid it on his lap. The minister ended quickly.
At the door, where the pastor was bidding his flock goodbye, the mountaineer shook hands with him and smiled.
The minister asked, ``Would you really have stopped me with a pistol?''
``No,'' said the mountaineer, ``but the fella who brought you here is in deep trouble.''
On one journey, Judge I'Anson confided to me in his slow drawl that he wouldn't wear a seat belt.
I confessed that I, too, often didn't buckle up. We never again alluded to it. Our mutual foible was a silent bond that strengthened our friendship.
Monday, I chatted with Judge I'Anson's son, Larry. Not long after our forays, his father began buckling up.
He felt it was the thing to do.
So did I, with an assist from a 6-year-old. MEMO: Readers of Guy Friddell - translated: Just about everybody - should
know that our favorite columnist slipped on the ice at 1 a.m. Saturday
while walking his dog Boomer. He is at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital,
where he has been treated for an ankle broken in three places.
Guy pitched a fit when reached at the hospital, sensing he'd get
unwanted publicity. ``People slip on the ice and hurt themselves all the
time for Pete's sake,'' he sputtered.
The columnist expects to go home by the end of the week with his
column continuing at the usual time and place.
Boomer is fine.
- By Larry Maddry
by CNB