After living almost twenty years in West Africa for most holidays, and knowing that we wouldn't be "home for Christmas" or "go over the river and through the dale to Grandma's house", it's nice to be so close to loved ones. My folks only live 3 - 31/2 hours (depending on who's driving) from here, so it's a pretty easy hop for me to get on a nice four-lane for most of the way and head towards the pines, the swamp, and two of the most amazing people on this earth!
My husband and I usually split up every Thanksgiving, but reconcile a couple of days later! It's just a family tradition by now. By "split up", I mean that he stays with his family here while I take whichever of the girls want to go with me and head east for Thanksgiving. I come from a small family anyway - just my brother and I with our five kids collectively. Since my brother passed away four years, I feel that it's important (for me and my folks) that we spend as much time together as possible.
So this evening after my oldest daughter gets off work, she, her husband, my youngest, and I will head to the home of my heart. Usually 3 hours isn't a long trip (especially after traveling 18-20 hour treks to Africa back and forth for many years), but this time will be different - hopefully for the last time. Our youngest daughter is 15 and has her driver's permit - some of you know what that means. She wants to drive the WHOLE way to MawMaw's. This will be her first long road trip....and how in the world did we plan this on one of the busiest traveling holidays of the year??
Funny how we as parents are at times. I have already given her two ultimatums today (she calls them threats and bribes), hoping that she would fall through on at least one of them so that I could say, "Sorry, remember when I told you to do such-and-such and you didn't? Well, now you can't drive the WHOLE way to MawMaw's." But, no, this redheaded beautiful daughter of mine is both relentless and obedient! She's been a saint today, amazingly helpful and cheerful, and as focused on her goal as my husband is on a bowl of Breyer's chocolate ice cream after dinner. "So, mom, do I get to drive with you in the front or are you going to put Michelle or Frank in the front with me?" Inside I'm saying, Oh honey, I'll be riding in the trunk with the luggage, draining the last of the Nyquil bottle, so it won't matter to me!
No, seriously, I like the permit concept (even though when I was 15, I saw it a little more constricting). If we as parents will use those 365 days as the potential training ground that it is meant to be, more kids would be better prepared and have more confidence when it's time to cut the string and let them on the highway alone. (Why does that always bring cold chills to me?) But instead, many either hardly ever allow their teenager to drive (because it's never the right time or the parent just can't take it today) OR we spend the entire time they are behind the wheel making wheezing sounds, bellowing noises like bulls, screeching, and wearing out the carpet on the passenger side. We develop heart arrhythmias, ulcers, and migraines during that year. Grant it, it's a very difficult time for all!
Add that to driving in the dark, in the rain, the snow, and the nightmare of all permit-jangled parents, ICE, and you can develop symptoms of strokes, digestive problems, and Parkinson's disease all in one hour!! But, if they don't learn how to drive in those treacherous situations WITH us, how will they react in those same situations when they are WITHOUT us?
So, tonight, for three LONG hours, in the midst of holiday traffic, 30 miles on a windy country road, and darkness, I will rise to the occasion (gulp) and give thanks for this teaching opportunity that could perhaps potentially help save my daughter's life one day!
How thankful I am for all my family!!
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