May 13, 2008
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How I know:
Breakup is really happening now.
I know this not only because the ice broke up and moved out on the Tanana River a week or so ago, and because mosquitoes are thick here now, but today when I drove past Kashwitna Lake, the ice was breaking up there. Also, we have not had a fire in our woodstove for about a week, and except for some chilly mornings it has been comfortable in here just with the solar energy coming through the windows. Today, the water level in the outhouse had receded far enough for me to be able to use it. That’s a biggie!Love is stronger than fear.
I know this because I keep going out and riding shotgun so that Doug can learn to drive. Earlier this week he drove a mile up the highway to his dad’s place, then about three miles back down the valley to the general store to buy ice cream. I drove home from there.Today, we tried something that could set a pattern for future driving lessons. We needed to go to the Willow Post Office to pick up some packages. He started out driving, and when I felt that the tension had built up more than enough in both of us, I had him pull over, and I took it the rest of the way. We are going to take this thing in stages and let it be easy.
Taking risks for love beats running scared, and confronting insanity beats turning your back on it and walking away.
I know this because my marriage is now a joy. The payoff has been well worth the trouble. Just five years ago our life together was a dreadful, scary, and trying experience. There were many times I would have left if I’d had a place to go and if I hadn’t stubbornly refused to let the man move in and run me out of my own home. Now I’m glad that he never followed through on any of his promises to leave. Through this experience, the whole family has learned a lot, and each of us has grown… and grown stronger and happier.There must be something else I have good reason to know. Maybe. I’ll have to think about that. Later.
Comments (11)
Good to know spring has sprung for you! Driving lessons… my nephew’s about to start driving soon… he’s 15. That should be fun, lol.
Tori is doing the driving thing. I feel your anxiety. I Know It too.
Good for Doug for wanting to do this, and good for you for supporting him.
Nice entry. I’m not very much looking forward to that time of teaching the kids to drive…perhaps that will fall under my husband’s duties.
My son is practicing driving too. I can still feel my tightened butt muscles as I brake for him. ha ha I try to speak slowly and calmly and when I can’t do that anymore, it’s my turn to drive.
I like that you can let Doug drive until the tension level reaches a certain point and then change drivers without it becoming a fight. That’s a great, intuitive way to handle things. Is intuitive the word I want here?
That line busted me up!
@butshebites - Yeah, I think “intuitive” is the appropriate word. We get this feedback thing going on between us, and when one of us knows it’s time to switch, the other one knows it, too.
I am glad that someone else taught my daughter to drive (and so is she).
I told my daughter I’d teach her to drive as soon as she can reach the pedals. My dad has a “little rascal scooter’ from his dad. Last summer he had two new hips put in and then this past April both knees were replaced so the scooter has come in quite handy for him. But, my daughter spends more time on it than he does. Our next step will be a snowmobile and 4-wheeler. I hope those machines can each be a stepping stone to driving a car.
Congratulations on reaching break-up still relatively sane…lol! You may not be after the driving lessons!
Luck to you both!
Good stuff here…