Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Mother's Little Car Accident

Oldsmobile Ad, 1920

I don't like to drive.  Many mothers in the old days didn't know how to drive.  Even in the 1950's, there were housewives who didn't even want to learn.  They had too much to do at home.

In this modern day, driving for the homemaker, has become a necessity.  Even though I would rather have everything I do be home-based, I have to drive all the time.   I have to accept this as a "season" in my life that will someday slow down. For the most part, however, I am at home and love it here.

  Yesterday, I spent the day at our Estate (our house), with Mr. White.  He was doing yard-work.  I walked around with him during his breaks. We enjoy the property and want it to look nice.  We often walk the gardens, and check on our plants.  The strawberries are the only ones doing well.

Later, I made homemade beef stew with biscuits for the family.  I cleaned, did laundry, hung towels on the line, and did some tidying.  I was tired.  We had one of the grandbabies here.  The house was full and happy. We even visited a little with Nana and Grandpa (who live in a small apartment in our large 3 story house.)

By early evening, it was time for an errand. I took John (15) with me.  He has his permit.  He would love to learn to drive, but I am having trouble getting the motivation to teach him.  I keep trying to put it off.  I tell him, "we will get you into classes sometime soon. "  I am too nervous and anxious when I get in the car.  It would be too much to have to teach.

John and I went to a convenience store.  He wanted a movie.  As I was pulling into a parking spot, I heard a crash.  (shudder).  John was shocked .  . .  It was only a small, short crash, but it startled us both. . . Everyone in the parking lot looked over at me. . .  I smiled . . .

"Well, go see if there is any damage." I told my son, wearily. 

He walked in front of the car, on his way to a redbox machine.  He looked down at the front and laughed to himself, then walked on.   He is entertained by my mistake. I am sure he will go home and tell the family and they will all laugh. I am happy to be the source of their entertainment today.  Still, I have no idea what happened.

He tells me that I hit a small pole at the curb.   I never saw one.  (He is happy that I won't be the one teaching him to drive.)

Later, at home, I got out of the car, vowing never to drive again and  wishing someone would take away my driver's license.    I saw that the only damage was to our front license plate. It was all twisted up and partially mangled.

I walked slowly into the house. . . I had to tell Mr. White.

Thankfully, he was understanding.  He fixed the license plate. But he didn't say what I hoped he would say.  I wanted him to tell me that I never had to drive again, that everything would be okay.   He only said, "Be more careful next time," and went about his day.

I am realizing that if I don't want to drive, I have to start saying "no" to many things.  I have to plan out my week better.  I have the power and the will to stay home more and to do less.    I want to be more like the housewives of yesteryear who spent far more time at home than many of us do. Yet, I know I still must venture out.  This is a daily battle for many homemakers of today.  And this little car accident is a shocking reminder of my need to stay home much more than I do.

Blessings
Mrs. White





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8 comments:

Dolores said...

I loved this post Mrs. White. Some people are just not made to drive. I got my license in my early thirties so I could drive my daughter to school. I hated every minute of driving. I drove for a few years and then my husband said I should stop. I was so relieved. I am 57 now and do not miss it at all.

Catherine said...

I cannot stand all the driving that I have to do, either. so many people are driving distractedly with phones and texts - I love it when we go out as a family and I can relinquish the wheel to my husband!

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

I'm happy that there was no large damage and that you are well.

You are blessed of the Lord and highly favored.

Laura
Harvest Lane Cottage

Karen Andreola said...

I rarely drive anymore as the Man-of-the-House takes me. Passing the Amish buggies is unnerving on our winding, hilly, country roads - but the scenery is charming here in southern Lancaster County, PA.
We must drive two hours to the center of Philadelphia to see a specialist there now and again. The Man-of-the-House does remarkably well at this feat. Oh, the traffic and one way streets . . .
It feels so good to be home again when we walk in through the kitchen door.
Karen A.

busymomof10 said...

So sorry about your little accident, Mrs. White! :(

Glad it wasn't worse!

My grandmother (my dad's mother) never learned to drive until the day she died in her late 80s!

My other grandmother (my Mom's mother) did learn to drive, and it was a good thing, as my grandfather had MS for many years and could not drive. She had to take him to doctor appointments, to the hospital, etc.

Times have changed and I think learning to drive is a necessity for most Moms today.

Sarah said...

My paternal grandma didn't drive, I think my only grandma and great-grandma's who did was my maternal one but she had a severe car accident that left her physically disabled until her death :(

I remember thinking how it was that my grandma didn't drive but now that I'm almost 35 and have been driving since I was 16 I hate it. If my children weren't in activities for their 'socialization' I could totally stay at home and be fine with my hubby driving me everywhere when he gets off work. Today it's so dangerous with people texting, calling, and what not while driving with no thought to what can happen to that family that will be affected by their choices. of course my hubby driving doesn't protect us but I still feel 'safer' when he is with us all.

Deanna said...

Dearest Mrs. White,

Oops....i do understand about hitting poles. Though I try really hard to be a great driver, there are times I have hit some things. Oops. I usually drive my daughter's car and because of that I am extra careful so when I switched cars and was driving our little Aveo with my mister in the passenger side, I went to pick up the mail. This car is closer to the ground and as I was pulling up to the curb....crunch, the car went over the new curb in our little town. I squealed an awkward sound. eeeeck.

One of my Grammas never learned to drive and her boys made sure she was taken care of. Other Grandma drove into her 90s and gave it up after she rammed her car into the garage.

I love being able to drive across the Flint hills of Kansas when others are not trying to run me off the road. As I was driving home from Topeka yesterday (going the speed limit) so many young girls driving too fast and nearly up on my bumper.

It was awful. If I could find a back road into Topeka, I'd take it.

I am going to relish in staying home more and working on sprucing up my haven!

Enjoyed visiting your place today.
Blessings to you,
d

Anonymous said...

I didn't learn to drive till I was almost 30. In the town where I grew up with most women did not drive. Most of my older relatives never learned to drive...men or women. We had a good bus system and everyone walked to town. It was about a mile + to town from most of the houses. I did not need or try to drive till we moved from there and there were no buses going where we needed. I prefer to stay home and take care of the home. I do drive but line up to do many chores out on the day I do go out. My husband taught the children to drive. I was happy he volunteered for the job. :) I am happiest at home! :-) Please don't let one mistake make you worry over driving. Sarah