Speed Racer

The day I turned 16 my parents let me get my driver's license. It was awesome. I even got to get out of school to go to the DPS so that I could use it that night, which happened to be a Friday. Looking back, I may have been a less than stellar driver. I got my license on a Friday, on Saturday I backed up into a car (and didn't tell my parents until Sunday evening because I wanted to be able to drive all weekend). Then there was that time 2 kids on a bicycle ran into me. Make sure that you read that correctly - THEY hit ME and it was declared their fault for driving recklessly on their bike but still not a great experience (the kids were a little banged up but fine). Once when I was driving on the Dallas Tollway I threw my quarters out the window and missed. And then spent the next 5 minutes digging through my purse and an overnight bag for more change while cars honked madly at me (from then on I was hooked on maintaining a Toll Tag). Thankfully I was never in a serious wreck and in my defense never got a speeding ticket.

Now that I'm a mama, I have become the most careful driver in the world. Speeding? No thanks, I'll drive cautiously. Wild stops? My babies little head will fling about! Texting while driving? Are you CRAZY?!?! Having precious cargo in the backseat has made me rethink how I drive. I may get places a bit slower but it's worth it to make sure she's safe. At stop signs or before turning I look both ways 10 times to make sure that no other cars are coming. That's the real threat - other drivers. People who don't have babies in the backseat. So the next time you are driving down the road and you see that car with 2 side window shades and a little car seat poking up over the center, don't honk or make fun of her for being careful. Smile and pray for her sweet child :)