My days of getting behind the wheel have finally arrived. The much anticipated days of putting the key in the ignition, releasing the emergency brake, and shifting into drive is now in action. YAY!
I went to my high school's parking lot this morning with my father in his little gold compact Chevy Malibu. As soon as we got there, we got out and switched sides; I was on the driver's side. After much adjusting of the seat, we went over the basics: checking the mirrors, buckling the seatbelt, releasing the emergency brake, all that good stuff. I kept the car in neutral and practiced turning and straightening out in lanes and braking at the end of the lane to check for other cars/pedestrians. It was such a rush! After we did that a couple times, it was time to burn rubber. Not literally, 'cause that would smell bad. I put the car into drive and believe my top speed was about 18 miles. Not too fast for a first day. I went up and down lanes, avoided speedbumps, went around corners, and parked the car. It was all so terrifying, yet all so exciting. This is what I've wanted to have the power to do for years! So, all that's left to really do is practice with the blinkers and maybe parking a few more times. This is going to make Driver's Ed look like pre-school stuff. I cannot wait!
It also leaves me feeling a little nostalgic. For me, driving is symbolic in that I'm so past the point of childhood to where this will one day be me teaching my kids to drive. It's such a concept to grasp, but what my Dad so kindly did for me is what I'll do for little Emma when she's 15. (I'm not pregnant, that's just what I'm going to name my daughter) I'm not the innocent little girl anymore sitting in the car seat snuggly while Mom drives through McDonald's or unhooks me to get out for Coast Christian School. I'll be the one with the freedom to just get out and drive whenever I feel like it once I have the power to do it. No parent watching me, making sure I've followed all the rules of the road. Only the faith that I earned my license with good reason and can handle sharing asphalt with so many other lives. It makes me scared to even go out and get a license. I almost don't want the full independence that comes with the "driving" package.
However, as much as I don't want the independence, I do. I want to be able to drive myself over to the mall when Mom's too tired to, or run to Walgreen's at 1 A.M. when I need last minute supplies for a project at school. That's also just as overwhelming a concept to grasp as learning to drive itself. All worries and anticipations set aside though, I've got the drive. Pun intended. I can't wait to get back out there and feel the rush of going 15 MPH. It'll be great. Thanks for taking me out and being such a cool and collected driving instructor, Dad. You did a great job. B.G.G.
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3 comments:
Love you, Kimmy. You did a great job. You'll be an excellent driver.
Precious Baby Girl!! Wait a minute...weren't you just in your little car seat going to Grammy and Grampy's??!! We're you just in the back seat, snuggly and warm, ordering "ha-po" meals and eager to see the toys??!! Aren't you the popular little kindergartner at Coast Christian who caused the frenzy at the fence when you got out of the car ("Kimmy's here!")??!! YOU driving??!! :) :) I LOVE IT!! You'll be GREAT!! One day you'll know the joys of driving beside your peacefully sleeping baby and sneak kisses and teeny caresses at red lights. I hope that when you do, you're on your way to my house...and then we can ALL drive through McDonalds (McFlurryies are on me!!) I love you so much!! I'm so proud of you tackling this exciting milestone!! Happy Driving!! XOXO Mama :)=
aww i remember freaking out when i had to go 20 miles an hour. you'll do fine. good luck with the rest of your driving adventures kimmy!
ps i'm naming my daughter emma too :)
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