The Permit

My son is going today to take the drivers test. He turned 15 this week, you know. He already can drive a dirtbike with the greatest of ease and speed. I am thinking how life will change ever so quickly for me. Help with the drive to Florida. Maybe, he will drive me to the store on my many quick trips. I trust Bill with driving. He has a knack for paying attention and learning equipment operation. I know next year I will be watching him drive away by himself. He will no longer require my presense to drive. He will be wanting to drive places and go see friends. He will be official. My prayer for him is to be safe, smart, not to take chances, to be confident with who he is, to have the courage to say no, to be trusted to go where he should, to take care of himself, to be mature enough to know real men don't race, to feel enough love from his family that his choices are thought through. I want to watch him drive off to many places and tell him I'll be waiting to hear his car pull in the driveway, that I won't be asleep until I hear from him. Today is the day of the permit. A piece of paper that gives my son wheels to roll with me in the seat beside him.