Start of a new journey?
I never thought I’d say this but this past weekend, I experienced my first ever driving lesson.
For most of my life, I’ve recoiled from the very idea of driving. I pretty much assumed I’d never do it, much to my parents’ annoyance. Actually, none of my siblings drive either. When we each hit 17, none of us couldn’t afford the lessons, though my brother was eager at the time to learn, at the thought of that freedom. But he didn’t, none of us did. And I’ve always been terrified of the thought of getting behind the wheel, mainly thanks to my brother in fact. Be it go karts or bikes, whatever we got to drive around as kids, he’d find a way to crash into me heavily and without warning. As I was an incredibly skittish child who was terrified of everything, naturally this affected me.
This year though, I don’t know, maybe it’s a result of everything our families have been through over recent years, but I really do feel as though there’s much less to be scared of. As Anthony has stalled in his attempts at learning - after failing his second test five months ago he’s not had another lesson since, he’s too furious with himself and driving in general to even attempt it - I decided I was going to have a go at last. I like the idea of being able to drive to see my parents and Anthony’s parents, not being slaved to a train timetable, and yeah, I’d like to be able to go to more wrestling shows too. It seems like every driving instructor I tried was booked up though, we live in a city where many people can afford lessons, but thankfully the instructor I’d found for Anthony - recommended by a colleague who loathes driving unlike anyone else I know but this instructor got her through her test - had slots free once November was out of the way.
It was a very surreal experience - actually sitting in a driving seat, being in control of a car. I wasn’t horrible at it and wow, there’s so much to learn, but I didn’t hate it. Anthony really hated learning to drive which never helps but I think I might enjoy it and I like the instructor. He didn’t make me feel stupid and wasn’t harsh and I need that. Of course he can take control of the car whenever he needs to so I felt very safe. I even managed to drive home which he was pleased about - he says about one out of nine students agree to try that at the end of their first lesson. I still haven’t done my theory test yet, I think I’m more nervous about that as I never test well. It is multiple choice which does help but still. I won’t think about trying it until I’ve had a few lessons, it might help with the knowledge.
I won’t have another lesson until the new year - the instructor is booked up with intensive pre-test lessons for someone next weekend - but I am looking forward to it. My aim was to have one lesson before the end of the year and I’ve done that so I’m really pleased. I haven’t mentioned this lesson or my plans for more on Twitter on Facebook as once it’s out there, I’d get lovely support I know but I’d also get people often asking how the lessons are going and I’d rather not have that pressure. Also it might prompt people to ask Anthony how his driving is going and I don’t want to do that to him. I doubt I’ll pass my driving test the first time - my Dad’s the most careful driver in the world but didn’t pass his driving test until he took it a third time. I know it’s going to be a long work in progress and I don’t know if I’m ready for it or not but I feel like at last, I want to try to find out.