My story comes from
the distant past, so I
apologize for any mistakes
of memory or misrecollection
or misinformation
that may occur.
Any errors are my own.
My eldest daughter
was always keen to
grow up fast. It was not
surprise that she eagerly
awaited her 16th birthday
to get her driver’s
license.
As soon as she qualified,
she and I were
headed to the Department
of Licensing office,
located inconveniently
far from our home with
hours not compatible to
my work schedule.
Nor was the organization
of the office particularly
public-friendly
back then, compared to
its current efficiency.
We arrived at a busy
time (which it always
was) and so we stood
in line with everyone,
whatever the issues
were that brought them
there.
As we neared the
front of the line, I noticed
the sign by the clerk that
said payments had to be
in cash, no credit cards
or checks.
I opened my purse,
counted the bills in
my wallet, oh no, not
enough cash! Oh! Catastrophe!
Melt down!
Here we stand, teen
with great expectations
to obtain that valuable
card to freedom, to liberty,
to adventures!
Mom with horror, realizing
we have no cash to
meet the $27 required!
What to do? Oh dear!
I explained to the heartbroken
child, we will
have to come back another
day, after I get the
money and we could
schedule it.
Apparently, our heated
discussion did not go
unnoticed by a young
man in line behind us.
He neared us, clutching
the money in his
hand, and offering it to
us.
I was very surprised.
He said he recognized
me from the local mental
hospital courtroom,
where I represented patients
in their court cases
for involuntary commitments.
He worked as an attendant
there, and knew
I was reliable to repay
the loan. I gushed a huge
thank you, my motherchild
relationship was
saved, and I have never
forgotten the kindness
of this stranger! Saved!
Little did I know how
the ramifications of that
driver’s license.
This same daughter
finished high school
and had to relinquish
her license for 3 years
due to speeding tickets,
3 in less than 6 months,
all while driving to high
school her senior year at
one particular stretch of
road.
So she had to rely
on friends as payback
for rides she had given
them. She was in college
by then, and rode
her bike to her summer
jobs.
Kept her in great
physical shape! When
she did get her license
back, she appreciated it
all the more.
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