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I couldn't help myself. Despite my husband's and brother-in-law's urging to just "let it go," I didn't. I think something in me simply snapped. In an instant I was out of my seat inside the McDonald's restaurant in Elm Grove last week.
What brought me to my feet was anger. You see while sitting there watching a couple of preschoolers playing inside the kiddie area of the business, there were sounds and sights that caught my attention. With a clear view of the entrance to the McDonald's parking lot, I saw and heard three small cars speeding into the lot.
One by one they flew around the lot as if they were having some sort of race or TikTok challenge. I held my breath that these vehicles would avoid striking a pedestrian or other vehicles. By the grace of God, they managed to slide into parking spaces each next to one another.
I went to the window to see who these drivers were. I was seeing red when I realized that the drivers were three young females who were probably in their teens at best. Due to my agitated state of mind, I decided it was best to approach the manager of the business with my complaint about the dangerous maneuvers of these three drivers on the McDonald's property.
I was afraid to approach the girls for fear I could end up in jail. The manager listened to my complaint. I don't know if she approached the girls or not because I felt it was best to get out of there before I said or did something I would regret.
Now some of you may think I was an overreacting grandmother type who should just mind her own business. After all, no one was hurt -- this time. Kids will be kids, right?
Yet all I could think about for the rest of the day was how many parents I have known locally who have lost teens to the careless or reckless driving of others. What those parents would give for just one more day with their children ... It's heartbreaking and nothing we do or say can take away their pain and loss.
So when I witnessed some young girls driving with such disregard for others, I was incensed. Driving is a privilege earned by safe and responsible driving habits. It's not an entitlement. I hope the parents of those three girls will see this and remind their children of their responsibilities behind the wheel before someone else ends up in a cemetery.
Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.