Oh my word, learning to drive and having my own transport was going to transform my life. I would just get into my car and drive away. Away from all the things and people that irked me. Good bye you lot. I'm out of here.
I passed my test. Naturally I passed it first time. I knew I would. It stood to reason. I was after all the world's best driver.
I was given a car. Yes, given it. As a gift. From my friends Don and Jenny. Don and Jenny. Lovely genuine caring people. Didn't know me from Adam. Took me in when I was rock bottom one time. Just out of prison. They weren't too concerned about my past. They wanted me to have a future. You need to meet people like that. A wonderful couple. They have gone now. I miss them. I need to tell you about Don and Jenny sometime.
Can you remember the feeling, when you passed your driving test? Wasn't it marvellous? Look out life! I'm coming to live ya!
Then the reality sets in. Road tax. Insurance. Maintenance. Petrol. New battery. Breakdowns. Paying some bloke to walk in front of me with a red flag.
I never did get to travel very far in my first car. Couldn't afford to.
Funny how some things never change. I still can't afford to. But in themselves, they really are marvellous things, cars. They do tend to give you a sense of freedom. Just a sense mind you. Marvellous!
Don and Jenny gave me my first car. Along with a sense of responsibility. I travelled a long way on the right road, after I met them. You know what? I think that might have been what they intended.
Nice story, we all need someone to get us on the right road. I passed my test on my 16th birthday and have been driving ever since. Now days though, a lot of kids are waiting just because of the expenses you mentioned. My daughter still only has her learners permit and will probably have it for another year. We can't afford another car, higher insurance and extra gas. She may have to learn to love the bus.
ReplyDeletePeople like that are awesome. Glad you had some. You have an award at My Quality Day.
ReplyDeleteWell I rather enjoyed that blog post. Thank you kind sir. A very lovely story and a lovely tribute to Don and Jenny. Sounds like they were smart folks who were also kinda awesome. I like getting in the car a lot right now because it is a little escape from the kiddos. Have a good weekend, and hope you have a nice trip somewhere in your car.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post! My first car was a bright yellow fiat 128 which I got when I passed my test at 19 and I was like a mad thing in it zooming off to Sheffield to study. I didn't think things like speed limits were important back then and I seriously believe I must have had a guardian angel!
ReplyDeleteI was a late learner and didn't get my license till I was 30. It occurs to me that I am also a slow learner too. I don't know if it's just me, certainly feels like it, because so many people around me seem so much wiser than I. I really liked your segue and the title. It was almost like a parable Grasshopper. Some people are critical of the baring one's soul on the net yet they are the stories that touch us so. Nice one.
ReplyDeleteMarvelous, indeed. The only thing I clearly remember about my driving test is failing the first time. Almost getting hit by a bus tends to lose you some points.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, despite all the annoying things about driving like the costs and dealing with other drivers, the open road still has some kind of mystical allure. If gas were only cheaper, maybe I'd go ahead and take a real journey sooner rather than later. It's been a while since I just went out and got lost somewhere new and exciting.
Don and Jenny must have been two very special people.
ReplyDeleteThird attempt at answering, wish I could remember all I wrote on the first. I know I mentioned how I felt when I got my first car... it wasn't about the car itself but the actual ownership. I felt sooo good. Okay, copying and pasting this ...just in case.
ReplyDeleteWow! It worked.
ReplyDeletePassed my test first time in a wicked thunderstorm (weather not a type of car). I didn't learn to drive until I was in my late 20s because I was afraid of being in control of a dangerous weapon.
ReplyDeleteJane x
A couple of fine teachers, it seems.
ReplyDeleteI'll look forward to your story about Don and Jenny.
ReplyDeleteWe all need Don and Jenny's in our lives, great people, giving you that spunky car! Embarrassingly, I don't have my license. I figured saving money every which way i can would be much more worth it than having the burden of a car, despite how cool and freedom inducing they can be!
ReplyDeleteThe world needs more people like Don and Jenny. My driving story is that I married a man who did not like to drive even though he was a truck driver for a living. He taught me to drive "the big rigs" so I could help him on occasion. Now give me a steering wheel and I can drive the vehicle that goes with it. None of my children like to drive either. What to do?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story. And what great people to be there for you when you needed them the most.
ReplyDeleteCars do give you great freedom. The family holidays we have done could not have been possible otherwise. Also helpful for going away on sporting endeavours.
ReplyDelete