Near Misses that still make me shudder - Part 3

This next memory is really quite boring. It should be much shorter than Part 2, as well. However, it still stands out in my mind. I think it's boring because it's an experience a lot of people have also had. So it's not new or unique with me. And saying that, I must also say that it has happened to me more times than I want to admit. I swear I shouldn't be so lucky - or protected.

So, have you ever fallen asleep at the wheel? I don't need to go any further, do I? We've all done it; we've all been there. And yet, every time is just as scary as the last, even moreso in my estimation. But this one time stands out. It was during the same summer as Part 2. I had stayed up late the night before, as I usually do. And I was taking an eight hour trip the following day. I would be travelling with a family from the church I was working at, but what I didn't know is that I would be asked to drive.

Given my previous night's lack of sleep, I was immediately gripped with anxiety. Oh no! I can't drive! I'm too tired. I knew I might doze off. Add the stress of driving another person's vehicle while she and her family were passengers to the pressure of staying awake, I was freaked out. I should have said no, but in my inability to say no to anybody, I obliged.

As we started our journey, I remained as the front seat passenger for a while. But eventually it was my turn. I had already been trying to keep myself from dozing even as the passenger. I took to the driver's seat, desperately working to fight off my drowsiness, but to no avail. I was very nervous. I did not want her to see me driving drowsy. We had her daughter and her daughter's friend in the back seat. There was a lot "riding" on this driving responsibility of mine.

Needless to say, I eventually dozed off. I dozed off, though, to such a point, and one I've never come close to committing like this again, that I woke up to find myself fully in the opposite lane of traffic. With deep penetrating perspiration, I swerved back into our lane. Immediately I shot a look to my three female passengers. I thought for sure I would be chastised for it, and removed from my driving duty. But as I looked to their eyes, saving me much embarrasment, they were all fast asleep as well.