Driving Miss M
At the beginning of the month I got a letter in the mail about a yearly appointment that I needed to go to. I dread going to this appointment. I like it about as much as two root canals. But, it was one of those things that you can't cancel nor reschedule. So, for the whole month it was in the back of my mind just hanging there like the skeletons in the window we hung for Halloween.
So, I knew in advance I would need a ride to get there. I started immediately making arrangements the same day I got the letter. It sure does suck not having a car when you have to get to things like this. Now, I could have taken public transportation but I loathe that more then three root canals. I only do that if I absolutely have to. I have been taking busses and trains all of my life it seems or walking.
I started my taking public transportation way back in the 7th grade. We moved to a new city that was not in walking distance from the school I was going to then in the 6th grade. My mom drove my sister and I to school for that year. I was in heaven. A ride to and from school from my mom was pure happiness. Partly, because I didn't have to take the bus and partly because my mom rarely took us anywhere except to the store and to visit my grandmother. So, I was loving the morning and afternoon rides.
My happiness didn't last long. Right after the 6th grade finished for the year and summer began the car stopped working. So, that met when school started again in the Fall we had to find another way to get to school. I hated the thought of getting up early in the morning making my way to the bus stop in the freezing cold with my little sister in toe. But, we didn't have a choice on the first day of school so my mom gave us some bus money for the week, until she figured out a bus pass would be cheaper, and off we went books, lunches and bus money in hand headed for the bus stop two blocks away. We made to school and back home again. And from that day forward my mom had us taking the bus all over to everyplace we wanted to go, friend's houses, downtown, the parks, record stores, movies, etc...you name it the place we would know what bus to take and how long it would take you to get there. The neighborhood kids would ask us when the bus came if they needed to take a bus that is how bus savvy we were.
So, when I turned 17 and took driver's education in the 12th grade I was so happy that I would be off the bus and back in a car. I was doing the happy dance when I passed the class. I was so ready to get off the bus and in the family car. I had my first tripped all planned in my head. I was going to drive to get pizza down the street and then to get ice cream to celebrate my new found freedom. I was more excited then a kid on Christmas morning.
I came home all excited and when I got home that day from the last class of driver's education with my slip that said I passed I ran into the kitchen where my mom was washing her hair. I told her I had passed and was ready to get my permit. She looked at me puzzled as she pulled the towel tight around her dripping wet hair. At first I thought she didn't hear me so I repeated my request to go to the DMV to take the test for my permit. She told me she had heard me and that was out of the question. I instantly went from being a happy camper to being a sad and confused one in less then two minutes. I asked her why not. The answer I got was that I had nothing to drive so what is the point in me getting a license. I totally didn't understand that. I was thinking ok, there is a car in the driveway that works isn't that my something to drive? No was my mom's final answer.
So, for the next several years I was back on the busses. I finally had a chance to get my permit when I was in my early 20's. My grandmother paid for my lessons since I almost forgot everything I had learned 5 years ago. Well, after a few lessons the instructor informed me that I would need a few more lessons and then a few more after that since I had no practice during non- lesson times. Unfortunately, my grandmother was not rich so there were no more lessons after the first round of a few lessons. So, I was done.
And I have been done for over 30 years now. So, that is why I knew that in advance I would have to make arrangements getting to any important appointments in my life. Today was one of those days. The arrangements were made long in advance and so I thought everything was good.
After a lot of drama things did turn out good. I got to the appointment without the bus or the train and was very happy that it only took ten minutes and I am overjoyed that I won't have to do this again until the same time next year.
So, I knew in advance I would need a ride to get there. I started immediately making arrangements the same day I got the letter. It sure does suck not having a car when you have to get to things like this. Now, I could have taken public transportation but I loathe that more then three root canals. I only do that if I absolutely have to. I have been taking busses and trains all of my life it seems or walking.
I started my taking public transportation way back in the 7th grade. We moved to a new city that was not in walking distance from the school I was going to then in the 6th grade. My mom drove my sister and I to school for that year. I was in heaven. A ride to and from school from my mom was pure happiness. Partly, because I didn't have to take the bus and partly because my mom rarely took us anywhere except to the store and to visit my grandmother. So, I was loving the morning and afternoon rides.
My happiness didn't last long. Right after the 6th grade finished for the year and summer began the car stopped working. So, that met when school started again in the Fall we had to find another way to get to school. I hated the thought of getting up early in the morning making my way to the bus stop in the freezing cold with my little sister in toe. But, we didn't have a choice on the first day of school so my mom gave us some bus money for the week, until she figured out a bus pass would be cheaper, and off we went books, lunches and bus money in hand headed for the bus stop two blocks away. We made to school and back home again. And from that day forward my mom had us taking the bus all over to everyplace we wanted to go, friend's houses, downtown, the parks, record stores, movies, etc...you name it the place we would know what bus to take and how long it would take you to get there. The neighborhood kids would ask us when the bus came if they needed to take a bus that is how bus savvy we were.
So, when I turned 17 and took driver's education in the 12th grade I was so happy that I would be off the bus and back in a car. I was doing the happy dance when I passed the class. I was so ready to get off the bus and in the family car. I had my first tripped all planned in my head. I was going to drive to get pizza down the street and then to get ice cream to celebrate my new found freedom. I was more excited then a kid on Christmas morning.
I came home all excited and when I got home that day from the last class of driver's education with my slip that said I passed I ran into the kitchen where my mom was washing her hair. I told her I had passed and was ready to get my permit. She looked at me puzzled as she pulled the towel tight around her dripping wet hair. At first I thought she didn't hear me so I repeated my request to go to the DMV to take the test for my permit. She told me she had heard me and that was out of the question. I instantly went from being a happy camper to being a sad and confused one in less then two minutes. I asked her why not. The answer I got was that I had nothing to drive so what is the point in me getting a license. I totally didn't understand that. I was thinking ok, there is a car in the driveway that works isn't that my something to drive? No was my mom's final answer.
So, for the next several years I was back on the busses. I finally had a chance to get my permit when I was in my early 20's. My grandmother paid for my lessons since I almost forgot everything I had learned 5 years ago. Well, after a few lessons the instructor informed me that I would need a few more lessons and then a few more after that since I had no practice during non- lesson times. Unfortunately, my grandmother was not rich so there were no more lessons after the first round of a few lessons. So, I was done.
And I have been done for over 30 years now. So, that is why I knew that in advance I would have to make arrangements getting to any important appointments in my life. Today was one of those days. The arrangements were made long in advance and so I thought everything was good.
After a lot of drama things did turn out good. I got to the appointment without the bus or the train and was very happy that it only took ten minutes and I am overjoyed that I won't have to do this again until the same time next year.
Comments
Post a Comment