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By the time we made it to the highway, beads of sweat were pouring down my brow. My hands were wet and aching from me gripping them together so tightly the nails almost popped off from the pressure. My butt cheeks were clasped together in an iron vise that most assuredly was going to cause my head to explode. Finally in the thick, humid air that we've come to endearingly call "Summer in the South", my son looked over and asked, "So, Mom, do you like my driving?"
I must admit he really wasn't doing too terribly bad. He had both hands on the wheel. His gaze never left the road and his handling of the vehicle was far better than I'd ever imagined it would be. But for heaven's sake, this was my baby.
Just a few years ago, (well maybe more like 10) I was teaching him to ride his bike. We started one evening right at dusk. He was so excited to get his training wheels off. Of course you know it was a long evening. He fell several times but always got back up ready to go again until he mastered riding that cute little red and green bike which is now old, rusty and pushing up daisies in the backyard.
Looking back, I guess it really wasn't about him driving. It was about him growing - attaining more and more independence; not needing me so much anymore.
He's 16 years old and will be a senior in high school this fall.
This will truly be a memorable year for both of us. He's poised to have one of the best years of his young life and I'm on the verge of what most assuredly will be a complete mental breakdown. For this is probably the last year my baby will be at home on a regular basis.
After this school year, it's off to college and from there out into the real world. And it all happened so fast.
Time is so relative. As a child, it seemed like I'd never grow up. Time seemed to stand still. It wasn't until I gave birth to my new "chauffeur" that the hands on the clock started spinning out of control. Where does the time go?
So, I guess you could say that his driving lessons are lessons for me too.
I'm being taught that it's his time to take the wheel and steer as smoothly and skillfully as possible into his future.
I'm being taught that it's his time to proceed through life's green lights while I yield and allow him to move forward.
I'm being taught that it's his time to stop and proceed with caution while utilizing the things I've taught him in the many lessons we've had over the years.
I've been preparing and teaching my son to drive for the past 16 years. The time has just arrived for him to execute what he's learned.
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