Where would we be without friends?

I’ve always been blessed with friends, good people who just…I don’t know why, they just treat me so darn well.

I want to get my driver’s license [one of my longstanding goals].  I booked a test for this week.

My friend Rich took me out driving for two hours yesterday, to the place where the test would take place.  We went to neighbouring areas too and he calmly took me through all the different skills I need to master for the test–parking, a three point turn, reversing into a parking spot and driving into a parking spot.

I learned that I am not at my most comfortable above 60km/hour, I make rolling stops at stop signs, I’m afraid to crank my wheel hard in either direction, I like to make lane changes in intersections, I don’t get my speed up with the flow of traffic soon enough…

But he patiently pointed things out as we went along and never got agitated when I almost hit a car in the parking lot [he did suggest we move to a car that looked a little more beatup, just in case!]

After our driving “test”, I decided that I wasn’t ready and I was going to cancel my test.  But my dad and every friend I’ve talked to have suggested that I go for it:  even if I fail, I will be closer than I am now to getting my license because I will know [somewhat] what to expect on the next test. 

So I’m going to do it!

At work this afternoon, I told my coworker, Rachel, that I have this upcoming test and I didn’t think I could do it.  We were both working until 6:30pm so she offered to take me out for a lesson.  Another coworker (Vera!) came along and after dinner, we hopped in the ooofmobile and headed back to the dreaded area of town.  At night.

It went well (Thank you God)!

I still drive too slowly and cautiously, and have a habit of running over theoretical cars while trying to park in reverse [you know, minor things ;)], but I have a lot more confidence.  And I’m more determined than ever to go for the test.

Rachel and Vera bravely got out of the car, froze their butts off, and pretended to be other cars.  I parallel parked between them, and tried at least 25 times to reverse park between them without killing them.  I think maybe once I almost got it!

Almost three hours later, and after dropping off Vera, Rachel and I arrived, alive, at my house.  I was so touched that she and Vera gave up almost four hours of their time to help me learn to be a better driver.  Rachel, like Rich, was so calm, patient and helpful, and provided a running commentary on what I was doing or not doing.

I don’t know why I’ve been blessed so but I have some damn good friends.

Filed under: Friends, Goals by jummy