Driving Miss Crazy

Remember the first time you drove your dad's car or truck? Remember the rush of adrenaline that flooded your system to the point you thought you'd couldn't get anymore excited than you were at that point or you'd surely die? I can remember my dad taking me out to the high school so I could drive his little hot rod. I was 13.

It seemed to be a rite of passage that once you became a teenager, you got to drive. Albeit, illegally. Who cared what the law said, we weren't hurting anyone. I seriously doubt we were in grave danger driving in an empty parking lot. How in the world were you supposed to practice for drivers ed if you didn't actually drive? I can remember the added bonus of being one of the youngest in my class...Everyone got their license before I did so naturally they'd let me drive too even though I wasn't of age.

I can remember the pang of hunger for more when my dad would tell me it was time to switch. I didn't want to be done driving. It was too much fun. I wanted more. But Dad was always there to tell me enough is enough, it was time to go home. I can remember the little hints he would give me like, "Always make sure the yellow line looks like it's running straight into the headlight. Then you'll be in the right spot on the road. Anything further over and you'll be too close to the center line." Little pearls like that have stuck with me and probably always will.

Now it is time for my son to have the same experience. He's got the hunger and I knew this day would come. I just didn't think it would be so soon. Todd has taken him out several times now over the past few weeks and let him drive his truck. I knew this was a special time for them but I was sad. Sad for the loss of my dad and sad for the loss of my little boy. These are the times in his life that are making his memories. I just hope his memories are as fond as mine . We can never get this time back so I hope he has the time of his life. And I hope I can help him accomplish it.

Tonight he begged me to let him 'show me how good he can drive'. I bit. We went out in the Expedition and he drove. I was in shock, this kid is a natural. I wasn't nervous at all and it was as if he'd been driving for years. I sat there and watched his tiny little body behind the wheel...so tiny I had to ask if he could see which got the much deserved, "uh, yeah Mom, duh!" I was dumbstruck. At that moment I realized I only have a few more years left with him. I asked myself, "Can it be"? My little man is growing up.