My Chat with Dad

Yesterday as I was driving home in the rain I did what I normally do, I called my parents.  Rain is something that we always need and when we are getting rain I always call to see if they are getting rain.  We chatted about the weather for a bit and then we moved on to other things. 

We chatted about the price of gasoline ($3.50/gal) and diesel ($4.05/gal).  I feel horrible because due to the price of fuel we are going to miss Mother's Day and my nephew's 13th birthday.  Then the next weekend is one of my cousin's high school graduation, but how could I go to that if I don't go home for Mother's Day & my nephew's birthday (they are on the same day).  Oh and then there is the bedlam baseball game coming up, and the ranch rodeo, oh and I am sure there is something else I am just not thinking of.  I am just very fortunate to have a family that understands why we can't make it for all of those events.  Well, except for maybe the baseball game.  Maybe my parents could meet us up there, hmmm...maybe my nephew too.  I may be onto something here.  :)

Somehow during our conversation my dad told me that he had to take a couple of guys to a neighboring town to take their CDL tests.  He already has his so he had to go with them.  I didn't realize that you can get a CDL permit and everything, just like a regular drivers license.  For some reason, I decided to tell him about the day that I took my drivers test.

My family had a big 4X4 Chevy Blazer and that was what I had to take my driving test in.  I got behind the wheel and the cop got in the passenger side.  We cruised around town changing lanes, passing people, stopping at stop signs, etc.  Then it was time for the last thing, parallel parking.  Yuck!  I still do not like to parallel park.  I will walk a mile before I parallel park in a close parking space.  Part of me just doesn't like to do it, and the other part of me is afraid someone will hit my vehicle, and then the last part of me just doesn't want to be embarrassed when I can't do it right the first time. 

So, the cop tells me to drive around this block because he knows the perfect place for this part of the test.  The dread was building inside of me as soon as he told me where to go.  You see, he was taking me to parallel park - um, the hardest part of the test - right behind where my Dad worked.  I don't think Dad was in the shop that day, but all of the other guys were.  I took my first shot at parallel parking and I blew it.  I was distracted okay? 

Everyone that worked at my Dad's shop had come out and was standing there in a single file line watching me try to parallel park.  I was so embarrassed when I didn't do it the first time.  But the cop saw what was happening.  He asked me if I knew I had an audience and I told him that I did, and explained who they were.  Then he said, okay let's do this one more time but this time show them how it is done.  And I did! 

When I turned to wave at all the guys, they were clapping for me.  :)  And I passed my test.

Comments

[Beth]

What a cute story! I think I was more nervous for my son who got his license last summer than I was for my own. (Translation: one lick shy of a nervous breakdown.)

[Swampy]

I love how you started with the rain and ended up parallel parking and receiving a standing ovation.

[Angela L]

I'm forty and start sweating when I have to parallel park, I'll drive around and try to find another spot.