“Momma, are you going to write on the blog anytime soon?”
Geez, why do kids have to remind us of the things we are failing at? Yes, Judah, now that you just said that, that is exactly what I am doing.
We survived the holidays here and actually had a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas; right after I almost had a nervous breakdown from over-committing myself once again to a bazillion parties/work/volunteering/celebrations. It was all worth it. It always is. But I cannot for the life of me learn my lesson from year to year.
But a new year is upon us and with it comes a terrifying milestone; Charlie got his driver’s permit. He doesn’t start driver’s ed until Monday, but Washington state law allows a child to get their permit 10 days before the class starts. Would you believe it? So that means that any old 15 1/2 year old within 10 days of starting a proper driving education class can just walk on in with their parent, pay $25 and walk out with the A-okay to drive. Just like that.
“Congratulations! Now you can drive home, if your mom’s brave enough,” chuckles the lady at the DMV as she hands over the permit to Charlie.
“Oh, heeeeeeck noooooo,” was my reply. How is this even legal? He’s a child!!!!!
I drove to the church parking lot 2 blocks down the street from our house and told him he could give it a shot. Just sitting in the passenger seat and looking over at my baby controlling our car made me want to jump out and run home. I didn’t, because I would get in all sorts of trouble. He made it around the parking lot, and then he made it home. No cars hit. No humans hit. We both survived. God bless the insane people who choose to teach a drivers ed class and voluntarily get into cars everyday with people who have never been behind the wheel before. Really. Someone has to teach them.
PS. Shout out to my dad who taught me to drive; a stick-shift, no less. I have all the respect in the world for you.
