First Born turned 16 on Friday, Feb. 26.
First Born had friends over to celebrate – junk food and video game fest. (I’m so lucky that he has really nice friends.)
First Born had his last behind-the-wheel driving instruction on Sunday.
First Born took his driver’s test AND PASSED today!
Holy Smokes!
I’ll have to say that teaching First Born to drive has been the hardest parenting task, yet! Not that he’s terrible. He does pretty well. It’s an exercise in letting go, as is the entire journey of parenting. And, when you’re sitting in the passenger’s seat, you realize just how little control you have over the journey, the driver, and your reactions. I didn’t want to be the kind of mom who holds her breath the minute he steps on the gas, or over-correct, or get a little excited. But, when he was backing out of the drive-way on Thanksgiving morning for the three hour trip to Grandma’s house, I said, “Put on the brake. Stop. You need to…” Bang! he hit the mailbox. The van was fine. The mailbox lay lifeless on the ground. I consider it a break-away mailbox. It came that way when we moved into our current house. The snowplow knocked it off.
I knit prayer shawls. When I’m the driving instructor/parent on trips to Grandma’s house, I knit, and pray.
When First Born pulled away from the curb with Driving Tester in the passenger seat, I said a little prayer, “Dear Jesus, be the co-pilot.” I sang another good journey song in my head, The River by Garth Brooks. In that song, he’s sailing a vessel, not driving a car, but I like the line, There’s bound to be rough waters, and I know I’ll take some falls, but as the Good Lord as my captain, I can make it through them all.
The day you get your driver’s license is a memorable day. It’s the birthday of your independence. You are licensed to drive. You have newly born freedoms, newly born responsibilities. You can really go places. Now, if you can just afford the gas.
Journaling Prompt: Do you remember the day you got your driver’s license? Write about it, or a memorable driving experience, like the first time you got the car on your own and went out with friends.
That’s both exciting AND scary! And you have to have so much patience to teach a child to drive. My son will be there in 2 1/2 years. Ack!
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
When I got my license, both family cars were standard shift, so I had no choice but to learn to drive standard. Not fun! Now, though, I’m so glad I did! It’s great to know, and we do have a manual shift pick-up truck. It’s a different feel driving manual, I think with more control over the vehicle.
Yes, Elizabeth, you covered the emotional spectum!
Joanne, I also learned to drive a stick. It was a challenge, but I’m glad that I did. I even learned that when the battery is dead, you can push it and “pop” it to start. That’s another story.
I can’t even imagine my four year old driving. I don’t knit, but I’m sure there will be a lot of prayers!
Oh, wow. That is a mommy moment I fret about already, and as you know, my firstborn just turned 13. Maybe I should take a chill pill.
Congrats to your darling boy. With God as his co-pilot AND captain, he should have smooth journeys. 🙂
Shannon, God willing.
Hi Mary! Thank you so much for your sweet comments. When I read where you said “she’s back” I smiled 🙂 It’s good to be missed. I’ve missed all you guys too!
My driver’s license? Ha! I failed my test the first time. Because I had the demon of the country sheriff’s department in the seat next to me. I hit a cone. Seriously. And I failed. She also said I didn’t look in my mirrors. Yeah. If you’d been watching me, you wuld have seen me looking out the window! Ugh. I went back the next day, did the same thing and passed. Oh, yeah, AND I had to do it all in a MINI VAN!
Jen
Great story. My boy also had to drive the mini-van. Not really a “cool factor” but such is life. Welcome back to the bloggy world.
Hey! So great to meet you! Thanks so much for coming by Write in the Way!
Congrats to your First Born. I pray for peace for you as he goes out these next few months!
Congrats on surviving such a transitional stage with grace, good humor, and nails intact. And your son looks responsible and full of confidence. I also learned on a stick shift…and, looking back, can still see my mother’s face the first time I had to pass a car…hmmm, think I was her first wrinkle. Yipes!