Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Rite of Passage







I'm sitting here working in my home office without a car in my driveway feeling a little odd.  Jack took, and passed his driver's test today and is out running those made-up errands he can now do by himself for the first time.


I'm sitting here full of emotions (unusual for me - right?).  I remember well that incredible sense of independence that came with getting a license.  I still feel it sometimes as I drive somewhere by myself, enjoying my own company and the ability to get where I want to go without help.


It is, of course, a little nerve wracking too.  I'm yelling out the door as he left those last minute instructions - "be careful" "watch the speed limit" "I mean it about the phone"  etc... and I know somehow, we've crossed a boundary on the path to adulthood.


I am happy he passed, it felt good to practice, go for a goal and achieve it.  I will be pleased to take the help with Charlie, and will not miss all that driving to school etc..


I do, though, feel my age a bit more today.  Time goes so fast, and I can't believe I'm old enough to have a teenage driver living in my house.  It's a good day to stop and think a little about this journey - 


And now the arm wrestling for the car begins in earnest - one more practice in negotiation, and I suppose one more way to ground him - always looking on the bright side!