by Roshan Richards

Created on: February 13, 2009

Yesterday, I took my oldest son to the Department of Motor Vehicle Services to get his learner's permit. I was standing at the counter, which had an endearing older man with a great sense of humor sitting behind it, with my 6 foot, 15-year-old son standing next to me fidgeting for the test. I must have had a funny expression on my face because the man behind the counter smirked at me and said, "Ah, Mom, aren't you ready to take liability?" He thought he was funny. Most likely the expression he was reading was my amusement at myself as I was standing there feeling like I was in one of those "Life Comes at You Fast" commercials. I was looking up at my son who was in the midst of an important "coming of age" milestone and all I could see was a hospital room with a newborn in my arms, big brown eyes looking up at me while I played with his little toes and looked at the tiny freckle on his left heel. That was the reality check of preference probably because the night before we were sitting on the opposite ends of the couch with our bare feet touching and we compared - he can put all of his toes over mine. Can you say size 13? How does that happen in only 15 years, I ask?

I couldn't help but remember when I took my test, too. I remember the small city hall and sitting in the desk, filling in the answer bubbles and silently scolding myself for not studying harder. I smiled as he walked over to computer # 20 to take his. Such a short time ago, really, and so much had changed. Yet, as clich as it sounds, I realized there are some things that don't change. I realized that there are a few choice experiences in life that are granted to, and shared by each of us, and they bind the generations. In that moment, I looked around the waiting room and watched as children took that fateful step into driverdom, never to return, and as parents sat with nervous pride and disbelief at having come to this place and time so darn quickly. It was surreal. A moment frozen in time for him and me, like that picture they took for his permit; and, I knew it. And the day will come not too many years from now that he will know it, too.

So he passed his test - took it twice in the hour and 20 minutes I sat reading my C.S. Lewis book, and asked proudly if he could drive home. I was not compliant due to rush hour traffic on I-15 that boasts a living nightmare during even the quietest of hours. Once we got outside and he saw the jammed interstate not 100 yards away, he quickly agreed. I did let him drive home from the bank parking lot located just off the exit ramp that leads to our house, however. He was humble (a rare moment for a teenager, I know) and careful, and he did beautifully. As we were getting out of the car I reminded him that he just needs to work on his turns... and remember where the turn signal is, for that matter. And as I watched him bound up the garage stairs and into the house with his learner's permit hoisted high to show the family, I silently reminded myself that I need to work on something, too letting go. My baby is growing up.

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