It took me a while, but I finally downloaded the free maps that came with my Garmin. It didn't take long to load them and take the new machine for a spin. (Not that I had anywhere new to go, of course.)
My confession is that I am severely directionally challenged. Even growing up and living in my hometown my whole life didn't help me find my way consistently. I did have a good sense overall of north, south, east and west. That helped me on many occasions as I also have a good sense of where all the major roads run. Even if I got a little turned around, I could figure out which way to go to find one of the familiar main roads.
Where we live now, the roads are so confusing to me. I keep trying to learn how communities are associated with one another thinking that will help when looking at interstate signs. Sadly, I don't have it down yet.
The other night, I had a late run to the pharmacy and an office supply store. I decided to use the Garmin. The directions took me a different way than I'd gone before when leaving from the house. Once I caught up to familiar territory I understood why that was the route selected. I went on to an office supply store where I'd never been before, but it was in a familiar area. When I left to return home, I was guided a different route than I'd gone previously.
One of the oddities about me is that at least 9 times out of 10, I will choose the wrong direction when facing that proverbial forked road. I don't know what is wired wrong internally that I am so consistently wrong in this area.
The whole time I was out I kept having this internal angst that made me feel that I was taking the wrong exit or heading in the wrong direction every time. The farther I drove, the more I had this fearfulness creep up that I was getting very lost...at night time...in the dark. I kept worrying that I may not have entered the correct address or that the Garmin may not be reliable. By faith, I kept following the directions, even though the tension kept building.
Eventually, I recognized where I was and I was right where I was supposed to be. The Garmin was completely reliable (and I suppose you could say...so were my wonky directional instincts! If only I could learn to ignore them!).
Shortly after we were married, I assured Matt that if we are ever lost he can depend on me to find our way home. Just ask me which way I think we should go and head the opposite direction. Since then I recall him asking me once and he went the other way. Wise man, my husband. Going the other way got us back on track. :)
You're directionally challenged?
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