The "One-Lane" Road

Note that the title of this blog post is not “One-Way” road – it’s “One-Lane” road. That’s what the sign read, the sign that was washed up on the shore, face down and under a few inches of gravel and sand, about 50 yards from where a similar orange sign washed up about two years ago that read, “Road Narrows”.

That’s where I found the sign, quite by happenstance, while investigating an odd piece of flotsam that had washed ashore after an early New England winter storm. That freak item I was investigating from my kayak was a port-a-potty!
When I told a friend about this uncanny reoccurrence of a sign washing up on the shore where I regularly paddle, he said, “You’d better get pictures because no one will believe it. That stretch of shoreline, my friend, is your Mount Sinai”.

The “re-occurrence” refers to the subject of my January and February 2010 blogs and a sign that read, “Road Narrows” (photo included at that January 2010 post on this Blog).

“Road Narrows” infers that the road is about to narrow ahead. And so it did and has since that day in early 2010. The narrowing has not been as constraining as I had thought it might have been but rather a refining and an enriching experience. The “narrowing” has been; me joining a small enterprise that, with hard work, is now turning and may be beginning to flourish and (by the grace of God) I’ve published a book titled; Fruition ~ Reflections on a life grafted-in. And there have been so many other rich episodes along that narrowing road.

“Road Narrows” infers that the road will be narrowing – up ahead. It’s a warning, or rather, an advisory of things to come - a promise – something to anticipate. So this new sign had me contemplating the significance of what seemed to be a continuation of that advisory. “Road Narrows” to “One-Lane” road. For starters, this new sign suggested a present condition, the way that things are. The road has indeed “narrowed”. Had it narrowed to a “One-Lane” road?

What exactly is a “One-Lane” road?

In our town we don’t have alternate side of the street parking regulations and so we have many thoroughfares that, over time, have practically “become” one-lane roads. This does not mean that they are “one way” roads. And when cars are parked on both sides of those roads, or when it snows, those “one-lane” roads – well - narrow. But that’s not where I’m going with this. You see, on a “one-lane” road, either direction has the right of way and requires cooperation to navigate a single block. Don’t try to turn around. Once you’ve committed to a block – you stay the course to the end.

My wife and I have a favorite local restaurant. Crossing town to get there requires that we take local streets that inevitably lead us to a few of these “one-lane” roads. It is inevitable that we will find ourselves halfway down a block and confronted by an adversary coming the other way. Two cannot pass side-by-side – one must yield. And so a driveway or an open parking pace becomes a point of yielding so the other car may pass. The yielder will pull off in anticipation of the impossible close-quarters situation and so signal with a headlight flash, receiving the appreciated counter flash from the other as the “one lane” road travelers pass like ships in a restricted channel executing a proper and dignified “one whistle” passage. I enjoy that headlight flash exchange – especially when I initiate it. I don’t know the person on the other end – but we connect there for a moment in the execution of that maneuver of courtesy.

Some (many?) avoid such precious opportunities for a gentile encounter. It’s somehow tragic that one might take the easy exit of a quick right or left hand turn to avoid dealing with the encounters presented by a “one-lane” road. That option costs in the “going around the block” and the missed opportunity to dispense a little grace or to accept the grace of a stranger.

So, what is a “One-Lane” road? It is NOT a “One Way”. It is frequently narrow. It presents the opportunity for close encounters with others - strangers. It provides an opportunity to express charity and the receive it. It is wise to proceed slowly on a “One Lane” road because you never know what may enter from the right or the left, from between parked cars or from a hidden driveway. You cannot pass a slower traveler on a “One Lane” road – patience will be tested. Entering such a road one is committed to traveling in one direction. Turning around (changing one’s mind) is difficult if not impossible.

The other day my wife and I were on our way to that favorite restaurant of ours. We were traveling down one of those “One Lane” roads. We had to yield to an oncoming vehicle and pulled over into a vacant spot in front of a charming old Victorian home. Headlight flashes were exchanged. I was anxious to get going and the other vehicle was moving particularly slow. My patience was waning a little but I was committed so I forced myself to de-focus on the passing for a moment and look around. It was then when I noticed the Christmas lighting of that Victorian home. It was like an exquisite old classic Christmas card. In fact many of the other homes along that street were equally dazzling in their Christmas adornment.

The passing car was long gone when we pulled out of our choice parking spot along that “One Lane” road to proceed to … oh yes … dinner.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year and - - - all the best!

Bill