Do you remember the freedom you felt the first time you drove in a car by yourself? The day I got my drivers license and was allowed to take the car, fill up the tank by myself, and pick up my friends for a drive is etched in my memory. To me it meant freedom, being a grownup, independence, emancipation.
I grew up partly on farms in the country, and partly in a middle sized town on the west coast. While we had some buses in town, for the most part public transportation didn't exist. When I was a kid either you walked, rode your bike, or talked an adult into driving you. When I turned 15 1/2 (the age you could get your permit) I was attending private school, so there was no drivers ed program. I had to go to a private driving school on Saturdays - and believe you me, I was there and on time for every single class! I remember learning to drive, the conversations with my parents, the frustrations and joy.
All this to say - I love driving to this day. I love my car. I love being in control.
However.
I now commute for two hours each day. And I have driven this commute for the last three years. And I am tired of driving every day.
So recently, in the spirit of downsizing our lives, of spending more family time together, and in the spirit of Mom doesn't want to drive every day, our family has started to carpool. My husband drives. He drops me off at work, Kidlette off at school and then takes himself off to work. Then does it all in reverse at the end of the day.
Bonus: We save money.
Bonus: We've just increased our daily family time from four to six hours.
Bonus: I don't have to drive in the dark and rain with all the semi trucks.
But part of me longs for that feeling that I had at 16 when I first held my drivers license in my hand.
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