I'm Always the Better Driver

(Heavy Breathing) "Mama?" (Heavy Breathing and a Little Crying) "Mama?!"

I'm terrified every time I get into the car with my husband. I never know if it's going to be a road rage kind of day or a Sunday driver type of day. It seems that my only source of comfort in these moments is the arm rest on the passenger side door. Every time I reach for it, a comment is made by my husband to defend his insane driving skills. It's just like in the movies, when the passenger looks out the window, they're looking straight down a cliff that seems to go on, forever and ever. With one hand over my eyes, and one hand on the arm rest, my life flashes before me...The realization of my inexperiences in life usually sparks a reaction similar to a Banshee's scream. At this point, his recklessness turns from blissful ignorance to purposeful exasperation. He knows he's got me in a vulnerable and perplexed position, so why not make the most of it, right! The real fun begins, as my expression goes from tolerance to complete terror... (See below)

Yes, I feel exactly like all these poor souls!

Question is, why am I so freaked out? Or better yet, why do I care if he drives too fast or too slow? It's not as if we've ever been in an accident due to my husband's erratic driving behavior. I guess that's just like a woman, isn't it; wanting the complete opposite from what we actually have. Am I just perturbed because I'm not in control or getting my way? We're all entitled to our opinions, right? But at what cost? When did being right become more important than being kind? Culture has inflated the necessity of rightness, which has led to tension and resentment of one another, especially in a marriage. I will be the first to admit, I use the excuse of "femininity" as an advantage of rightness whenever given the opportunity. You know, "Hunny, I need you to take out the trash? Hunny, can you drive slower? Hunny, can you move this 300 pound chair a little to the left? Hunny, can you stick your hand down the disposal and get the cat's collar out?" Then all of the sudden, we're looking at them like they're freaks for opening doors for us; how dare they, cause we're strong, independent, do-it-ourselves, type of women, and how could they take away our dignity like that! You know you're right and no one is going to change your mind. In the case of my husband's driving, I'm the "back seat driver" because of my insecurity in my lack of control in that specific situation, so this makes me "right." This is why comments like, "Chill Out," or "Calm Down" are not welcomed with open arms, but retorted with a gasp and folded arms or a Banshee scream.