I’m Not Waiting on a Lady, I’m Just Waiting on a Ride

For some strange reason, my parents didn’t think I was trustworthy – or responsible enough – to take drivers ed when I was 15 like most kids did. As my mom once said to me, “Amy, you have this wild streak about you that just scares me sometimes.” I took driver’s ed after I turned 16 and I was already a junior in high school – I mean, there were freshman in my class! I didn’t actually get my license until halfway through the school year – and probably for good reason, I mean, I did get pulled over in the drivers ed car, but I digress. I had been waiting for that day for months and when I finally got my license, I could not stop smiling. The people are the Secretary of State got a big kick out of me. My mom almost refused to let me drive home, but she finally gave in. And then she yelled at me for speeding. And I have been speeding ever since.

For 3 months I had been carted around like a child.. or someone with a DUI. I missed driving. A lot. It felt as though my freedom had been stolen from me – having to rely on someone else to do pretty much anything. There are a few places within walking distance from my house – a drug store, bar, restaurant, market, gym, 7-11 – but not much else. And public transportation doesn’t really exist around here. So if I needed to go to the bank, grocery store, Target, work, a friend’s house – wherever – I had to get a ride. This was kind of cool at first, but it got old. It got old really quick.

And I missed my car. It’s a nice car. Fully loaded, with a sunroof, XM radio, leather seats – all of it. My mom was driving it, which was fine, except when I was in the car. It’s not that my mom is a bad driver, its that she does not drive like me. And did I mention I love to drive? I mean, I once put 100,000 miles on my car in 4 years… Yeah, I like driving.

My doctor explained that I have to be able to see 90 degrees in each eye. Now I know my vision isn’t 100% but I am pretty sure there are people out there driving with vision that is so much worse than mine. Seriously. So while I’ve held my fingers out 90 degrees from my eye and I claim that I can see them even though I might not, I am pretty sure I can drive a car. I need to be extremely careful driving the car and be aware of the limits of the vision, but come on people! I can drive – I need to drive! I love to drive!

So my appointment went great – for the most part. I have improved – which is great news. My optic nerves are no longer swollen – which is also great news! The nerves are pale, however, which is a sign of permanent damage – though they cannot tell me how extensive it will be – most likely to my peripheral vision. My doctor is confident I will continue to improve – though gradually – over the next 9 months. The “screen” I see – he thinks – will subside over time. I need to be patient and continue getting healthy and losing weight. Doctor, this is great, really it is, but can I drive???

In order to legally drive I will need to have another field test done – this is for the Secretary of State for when I renew my license – which happens to be this year. But, my awesome doctor did a little field of his own and came to the conclusion that I can drive! YES! I can have full driving privileges – no restrictions. I will never be able to get a chauffer’s license or drive an 18-wheeler and I will never be able to be fighter pilot in the Navy – but I can live with that as long as I can go to Target without having to check someone else’s schedule!

Just like when I got my license for the first time, my mom was hesitant to let me drive. But I grabbed my key and did a little dance in the parking structure and then I drove to work. It was a little weird at first – but it felt GREAT. I missed my radio and my sunroof and I missed my foot against the pedal. I missed it all.

So what do I do that first night? I had no plans, but I did contemplate driving to Ohio just because I could. But I just hung out at home and looked at MY car parked on MY street knowing I could go anywhere and do anything – I have my freedom back. No more waiting on a ride.

(July 16, 2009)