Yesterday was a big day. Lindsey got her regular driver’s license. We
were sitting in the waiting area for our number to be called and were
talking about plans for this weekend. I have to try and schedule
everything between the girls and I so I can get everyone where they need
to go and still get my grocery shopping and yard work done. I was
hoping to get together with one of the neighbors on Saturday and I asked
Lindsey what she was doing. She told me about a couple of things that
she was going to do and I started to figure out how the driving schedule
was going to work when we both realized that I didn’t need to figure out
the driving schedule. She didn’t need me to be the driver anymore. In
a few moments she would have a “real” driver’s license complete with a
not so flattering photo, and she could drive herself. There was a short
little pause in the conversation and then I told her, “I’VE LOST YOU!”,
“YOU DON’T NEED ME ANY MORE!”
For the past three years I have been trying to prepare myself for the
time when the girls went off to college and I would be “home alone”.
I’ve always known that as the girls become teens they would start
spending more and more time with their friends, boyfriends included, and
would be less interested in doing things with me. Lindsey has been very
good about inviting me to go to dinner and school events with her
friends, partly because I was able to drive, but it was still a nice
thing to let me tag along and spend time with her.
So last night her transition to independence started. She drove over to
her friend’s house and then to the Target to shop and then went over to
the Chinese take out for dinner. She called to see if we wanted her to
bring home something for us, just like I used to do when I’m out running
errands.
I survived the evening. Tried to keep busy and not worry about her out
on the road with all those crazy drivers.
But the worst part is the realization that the girls are growing up so
fast and will soon be off to college. I will be home alone. The good
thing is that it is a gradual transition. They leave a little bit at a
time. I keep trying to find ways to enjoy this time as much as I can.