GP-Yes

It was Christmas morning 2008 that I first laid eyes on my brand new GPS.

I'd like to say I was thrilled but I wasn't. Normally I try to be gracious about gifts that someone put thought into getting for me. Even if it is something I don't like (which is rare), I try to pretend. But if I had a list of 50 things I wanted, GPS was not on it.

"What is it?" I asked nervously. My husband was excited. "You will never get lost again hun," he said.

I'm not certain, but I think a lot of women would rate GPS in the same category as blender, toaster or electric frying pan (although I would actually be thrilled with the pan which I've wanted for years...)

Running through my mind was a list of things I would have loved: gift card from any womens' clothing store, gift card from any shoe store, perfume (he knows the one I like), gift certificate from any spa, garden centre, book store, restaurant...in otherwords, almost anything except maybe a trip to the dentist would have taken preference over a GPS. I tried to act thrilled as I returned it to the box.

Fast forward to 1.5 years later.

I left my safe although unchallenging office job to pursue a career as a person who drives to various places. Places I have not been to before. Panic took over when I saw the address of my first destination. While looking it up on mapquest, I suddenly remembered my GPS tucked safely in its box in the back of my closet.

I quickly read all the necessary parts of the manual and then did a test run to the mall. I punched in the address and amazingly my GPS led me right to it. Before heading out on a real trip I gave my new friend a name. Gladys.

My first destination was a bit tricky because of the new bridge that must not have been in Gladys' memory yet. When she kept repeating "go to the nearEST road"....I pulled over to call my husband for directions. He gave me some instructions but I still couldn't find my way (did I mention I have a directional problem??) As a last resort I decided to park and cry. I parked and was about to cry when suddenly Gladys piped up with "drive 2.2 kilometres".

Since that first day we have travelled many miles together and become great friends.

She talks. I listen. I talk. She doesn't listen. I beg her to stop repeatng "go to the nearEST road" over and over. I shake her to see if she is awake. I grab her and scream into her face. She responds with, "when possible make a u-turn."

Life is good...