By Rob Ficiur
As our family planned a Christmas vacation in California  my son Jared (age 26) said he would borrow a GPS for me. I have cheered for the LA Kings, the LA Dodgers, the LA Lakers and the LA Rams for the decades why did I need a GPS to drive around the roads of this city? 
Before I could drive the rental car out of the lot, Jared showed his brother Brett (age 24) how to operate the GPS.  Was I left out of the instruction process on purpose?  (If Brett had been 25 he would have been driving but rental car rules don't like drivers under 25).  Who needed a GPS - I had a map - and a Trip Tick which is a personalized map showing me where I was going.  However to keep family peace, I let the adult children tell me how things were done these days.
My first trip driving with the GPS had positives and negatives. I liked it when the GPS Lady told me when to change lanes.  Knowing what lane to be in is the hardest part of driving in a new city - one never knows when a lane will end or become an instant exit.   After minutes of silence from the GPS I was sure the machine had self destructed and we were driving aimlessly straight.  However, eventually Ms. GPS told us how to reach our first destination.
Eventually I got used to the language of the GPS Lady.  (Is there some subtle meaning why the GPS has a woman's voice?).  Her instructions were simple and I understood them.  "Keep left" meant keep left before there was a right.   "Turn left" (or right) meant turn here not the next exit.   My co-pilot always had the screen on in front of him and they knew how far we were going on that road before a turn was made. 
My sons were so willing to share the opportunity to co-pilot their father that everyone over the age of 18 was given the "opportunity" to help Dad drive.  Why did Brian (age 23) refuse to co-pilot for Dad?  When offered the co-pilot's chair he shook his head and said "Papa, I love you. But no I will not do this."  Did he think co-piloting with a GPS would ruin our relationship?
Somehow Spencer (age 20) ended up as my regular co-pilot. "Be firm with, Dad," brother Brett instructed him. "Don't let Dad do anything but follow
these instructions."  Spencer did as he was told - being firm but gentle as
he told me where to drive. 
This new GPS we got worked pretty good. Instead of becoming a race car or
crash car driver heading for a missed exit, I could carefully find my way to the proper lane.  When we went to visit my cousin in Cypress, California, I found the GPS directions were faster because we were on the main road not the side road the locals apparently prefer. 
I certainly impressed my sons with my great driving ability in the big city. Not once did we get lost and end up in some dark dangerous street. The GPS worked so well that when I made a mistake the Ms. GPS nicely gave me new directions.  Rarely did anyone know I had goofed because we just kept on driving.  I became so reliant on the GPS that I often thanked Ms. GPS for giving me the right directions.  Each of my co-pilots rolled their eyes at me and said "You don't have to thank the GPS - it is a machine not a person."  I am in the habit of saying thank you - so I did.
The GPS was not perfect.  As one long, tiring (but fun) vacation day came to an end were driving back to our home away from home hotel.  Spencer and I looked to our right and saw we were driving right past the exit to our hotel.  We looked at each other and then said "This GPS is not always right.
After confidence we often become over confident.  On our last night in California we got back on to Interstate 5 heading south.  As a six day veteran of driving this highway I knew where I was going.  Once I was sure we were headed south on I-5 I told co-pilot Spencer "You can turn the machine off now.  I know exactly where I am driving."  Spencer did not fully trust me and left the GPS on.  A few minutes later all my four passengers had nodded off to sleep and I cruised down the highway brimming with over confidence. 
Overconfidence is a dangerous thing.  As I cruised on past the hotel exit
that I "knew" so well, I was relieved to see the passengers were unaware of
my driving error.  I missed the next instruction from the GPS and we soon found ourselves in a new area of California.  Thanks to GPS we got back in
no time at all, without my passengers even thinking I had lost my way at
all.
My sons were right this new technology might have its place.  My wife is so
convinced that she thinks I need my own GPS for Father's Day!  However in
the months to come my adult children might continue to try and teach me
about other new technology.  Why do I need a PVR when I know how to program my VHS?  Why do I need a CD player in my truck when the cassette player works just fine?