Last week, the paper published a letter to the editor from Jim O’Connor relating how he voluntarily surrendered his driver’s license. The man who wrote the letter is Jim D. O’Connor, a retired attorney and lifelong New Hampton resident. Given the confusion and concern several people have expressed about my future driving mobility, we should have included a name clarification.
    On page one of today’s paper, there is a story about how and why Jim D. quit driving. Suffice it for me to say, I admire him for the strength of his decision. I can tell you it would not be easy for me. Thank the Lord I still have my license and the Meskwaki Casino will not see a dip in their profits.
    Jim D. and I have been good friends for over six decades and have shared numerous chuckles over name confusion. One of the funniest occurred when Jim D. was county attorney.
    Late one night my phone rang and when I answered, this garbled female voice said, “Say, is it all right if I visit the old man in Jail?”
    I answered, “It’s OK with me, but you better call the county attorney.”
    Our families’ children were about contemporaries and in school at the same time. I had a son, Pat, and Jim D. a daughter, Pat, who was a little younger than my son. We frequently received phone calls intended for Jim D. If I answered and a young girl asked for Pat, I gave him the phone. He had a deep resonate voice and would loudly answer “yes”. The little girl would become flustered and shout “not you” and hang up.
    The real ongoing problem between the two families was confusion with the postal system. Many years ago in a town the size of New Hampton, no street addresses were required. Many letters, particularly at Christmastime were addressed Jim O’Connor, New Hampton.
    It was impossible for post office employees to determine who received which letters. I think they divided the pile in half and gave us each a part. It became a ritual that Jim D. stopped in my store after lunch each day to split the day’s mail.
    Jim D. and I had a great visit this week and relived some of our lifelong mixups. Finally, I want to commend Jim D. on his decision to quit driving.
    I hope I will be as smart when I feel I should no longer get behind the wheel.