A LESSON IN HUMILITY
“You drive the car, don’t let the car drive you!”
I received this pearl of wisdom from my father on the occasion of my first driving lesson with him.
Really, I thought. I already know that. After all, I was almost sixteen and pretty much figured I knew everything. How hard could driving be, anyway?
We hopped into our car of the moment which was a black 50’s something Mercury. The Merc was an intimidating, snobby looking car, heavy on the chrome. The only thing missing were the rich Corinthian leather seats.
Dad drove to Twenty-Second Street in Hamilton Park where there was little traffic, pulled the Merc over to the curb, and I moved into the driver’s seat.
Piece of cake so far.
“Now put your foot on the clutch, press down and then slowly give it some gas.”
“Okee dokee,” I said stretching myself to look out the windshield and also reach the pedals.
I did all that and then the car bucked and stalled.
“Okay, don’t worry,” he said patiently. “That can happen. Just start it again.”
I did and it stalled once more.
“Try it again.”
After a few more tries, I sighed with relief when I finally heard the engine rumble to life.
“Good, good,” he said. “Now we’re just going to go down to the end of the block, okay?”
I nodded.
“Gently give it some gas, but remember the clutch.”
I nodded again, trying to remember just what was it that he said about the clutch? Something about letting it out slowly, I think and…
And then the Merc, that rotten traitor, took off down the street bucking like a nasty bronco on big money night at the Rodeo!
We hopped to the end of the block and the Merc came to an abrupt stop.
“Like that, Dad?” I asked, looking hopefully at my father, as my pony-tail whip-lashed around my neck.
Dad had that look on his face he always got when he helped me with my math and I just didn’t get it.
And then I realized two things.
Driving was a lot harder than I thought. And, I had just been knocked off of my lofty teenage perch.
I learned a lesson alright, but it had nothing to do with driving.
For more stories like this, read my latest book, Life Before Seatbelts. Available on Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/author/janicerodgers and visit my website at janicemonahanrodgers.com
