My son Jack will be taking his driver’s test in a couple of weeks. It has me thinking about all the milestones we go through in life with our children, friends and family. I know Jack having his license will probably keep me awake more nights than he ever did as a baby but unless I want to be his private chauffeur the rest of my life I will have to embrace this change and teach him to drive.
He’s a good driver. He pays attention and takes it seriously. I hope that continues when he’s in the car alone or with friends.
I remember my driving lessons with my mom. I am sure she will agree that they did not go so well. At the time we had a car with a stick shift and it was tricky. Mom spent most of the time with her feet up on the dash hanging on for dear life. If you know my mom, she wasn’t riding silently either. There was a bit of shouting from both of us and a little swearing…she swore she’d never ride with me again and I swore I’d never give her a ride! Ha! The neighbor said I took the driveway on two wheels so I guess she had a witness in her favor.
My friend Renee’s son Gunnar will be taking his driver’s test soon. She shared this story about her son. His Grandpa Floyd had been very ill and was only given a few days to live when Gunnar went to visit him.
Right away he started giving Gunnar directions. From a blank stare, Grandpa Floyd said, “Go over there.”
Renee and Gunnar thought it was so he could see him better, so Gunnar went to the end of the bed. Then Grandpa said, “Go over there.”
So Gunnar was moving to the other side of the bed when Grandpa said, “Go up the hill.”
With a puzzled look from Gunnar, Renee realized her Dad was giving Gunnar a driving lesson. Grandpa must have remembered that Gunnar was going to take his behind-thewheel test next month. Renee mouthed to Gunnar “just go with it.”
So for the next five minutes they followed Grandpa’s directions. They went this way and that way, up the hill, down the hill, “OK, Grandpa,” Gunnar turned sharp, parked, all the while his Grandpa was giving him directions and pointing.
Renee asked her dad, “How is he doing?”
“Great!” Grandpa said.
“Do you think he can pass the test now?”
“Yes for sure, Dad,” Renee answered.
And then Grandpa went back to sleep.
Gunnar didn’t get hollered at once, unlike Renee’s driving lessons back in the day! It was something neither one of them will ever forget. Grandpa Floyd died just a few days later. I am sure he will be watching over Gunnar as he takes his driver’s test and everywhere he goes from now on.
Peace to you and blessings to Grandpa Floyd.
The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we all believe that we are above-average drivers.
Dave Barry
One of my favorite restaurants as a kid was A&W, mostly because I love root beer, especially in a frosty mug, but also because it was a “drive in”. Enjoy these A&W – like recipes!
Taste of Home columnist Sandy (Anderson) Holthaus lives on a farm in South Haven, MN with her husband, Michael, and their children Zoe, Jack and Ben. Her heart remains on the North Shore where she grew up with her parents, Art and LaVonne Anderson of Schroeder. She enjoys writing about her childhood and mixes memories with delicious helpings of home-style recipes.
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