You know?  The heart of a mother is made so strong isn’t it?  I mean…with all the schtuff we’re made to deal with?   I was nervous when my oldest got her license…and you’d think that would have prepped me for Middle Child getting hers?  Nope.

The other night she had two parties to go to.  One was a dinner party at a local restaurant about a 20 minute drive.  From there she’d go to her friends sleepover, another 25 minutes drive time.  This after having her license for 3 short days.  Oh, and did I mention it was dark out?  Very dark out?  And did I mention she was driving by herself…for the first time?

She went out and started the car.   Shane followed to give her some last minute instructions.  First, she didn’t remember how to turn the headlights on.   So he showed her and she was ready to go.  Then she started the car.  Again.  *crannnkkk-eeekkkk-grrriiind*

“That’s what it sounds like when you start a car that is already running”,  Shane said.

She pulls out of the driveway and Shane mumbles “Oh…God help us”.     Let’s just say that it seemed like forever and a day til I got the text that she arrived at the first stop.
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The other day was the first day she was able to drive herself and her brother to school.  By themselves.   In rush hour.  I had one rule.   Text me when you arrive.  Simple right?  Apparently not.  Ten minutes after the 20 minute drive should of ended I still hadn’t received a text.  I texted Alan.  No response.  I texted MC, no response.    Fifteen more minutes go by.  Then 20, then 30.   All I could picture was them being cut out of a massive wreck, entangled in air bags.   Finally with a sick stomach and heavy heart I figured I had two choices.  One, to take a ride and see if the car was at school….or…two to call the attendance office.  I opted for the call.  And yep…they were there.

office lady:  (giggles) “New driver, ehh?”

“yes.  I had one request.  Text me. ”

office lady:  “Oh, my daughter thought you could turn left on red…don’t feel bad.”

So when they got home from school I expressed my stress and anger with the failed text messaging.   Explaining things like common courtesy, yadda yadda.  She ‘didn’t hear’ that request.  That one request I made.  Ughhh.  But the good news is that she did state one fact:

“You know mom?  I am more alert in the morning now that I’m driving myself”

“Not alert enough to hear me say TEXT ME WHEN YOU GET THERE, apparently.”

*clutches heart looks up and says ”Lizbeth, I’m comin to join ya!”*