I went through
it; you went through it; we all went through it. Equal mix of excitement, fear and
trepidation, I suppose.
A whole
different feeling for me as I sit shotgun in the passenger seat. Way different.
Typically, I
drive. I am behind the wheel. I am in control. I think I’m a pretty good driver, though I
know I scare the living daylights out of my wife, who actually teaches Behind
The Wheel. I tend to go a bit slower
than most. Kim calls it “Driving like an
Old Man!” At least I’ve not gotten a
ticket and I have not been in an accident in years.
Our youngest,
Emily, is Learning To Drive. While Kim
has taken Emily out on most trips for her to practice, I spend some time in the
passenger seat riding shotgun. There are
times when I find myself pushing the imaginary brake. I know at times I talk too much, maybe
distract her a bit too much as I point out things to look for, things to watch
for. Sometimes I nitpick on slowing down
or signaling intentions or checking mirrors.
Have to keep a bit more quiet, I think.
I think she’d agree. I know she’d
agree.
I just want her
to be careful. To do well. To succeed and not get any tickets or get
into any accidents. I guess like any
parent.
Learning To
Drive.
She really does
a good job. She sits in the seat behind
the wheel. She adjusts the seat. Checks and changes the mirrors slightly. She makes sure the wheel is straight before
she even starts up the car, admonishing me if I leave it crooked because, “It’s
dangerous!” Yeah, I know. I get that.
She’s careful. She thinks
ahead. Observes everything. And, she really wants to do well. She doesn’t want to make a mistake.
Learning To
Drive.
Just like in
life, parents and teachers have to teach our kids. It isn’t easy sitting shotgun with only the
imaginary break to push as our kids take the wheel . . . of the car . . . of
life. We want them to succeed. We don’t want them to make mistakes. We don’t want them to have accidents.
And just as they
sit in the driver’s seat and take the wheel of the car, at some point, they sit
in the driver’s seat and take the wheel of their life. Scary for a parent, a teacher, a significant
other. Really scary because we so very
much want them to succeed. We so very
much don’t want them to make a mistake or get into an accident.
And honestly, I
find myself holding my breath a little each time she . . . they . . . sit
behind the wheel, each time they wave goodbye, each time . . .
I watch the
clock. I wonder. Yes, I worry.
Each time. Every time.
Learning To
Drive.
And just like
with a car, our kids need to learn how to navigate the streets of life. Watching out for this pothole. Being careful to watch for other drivers . .
. other people . . . because we don’t know what they will do. Making sure they don’t travel too close to
the edge. Somehow helping them navigate
down the center, making turns safely, and slowly, and carefully. Helping them see what lies ahead and to
somehow anticipate- ever a hard thing to do, to master. Just like in a car, we want our kids to
succeed and be safe in life. And it’s
never easy when you’re not behind the wheel, when you’re not in control, and with
just an imaginary break. Never easy. Not easy at all. Something to think about . . .
Live Your Life,
and Make A Difference!
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Thank you for your comment. I welcome your thought. Joe