The Very First FLASHBACK FRIDAY

Mocha With Linda is starting a new meme that sounds like fun -- Flashback Friday will give us a chance to swap stories about specific times/experiences in our lives. You can join the party by posting your flashback on Friday and then linking up over at Linda's blog.

So first up: How and when did you learn to drive? Do you have any particular memories associated with getting your driver license? How old were you when you got your first car and what was it? Who paid for it?

Our high school offered driver's education with simulators. Obviously driving is one of those things best learned through experience so my mom, knowing better than to try and teach me herself, asked one of my cousins to work with me. Arthur was the quiet cousin and why he agreed I'll never know. His instructions were succinct to the point of being nonexistent but I didn't really notice since I was busy chattering up a storm. Which is my default position.

Then we hit a really rough patch of road and I fought to maintain control, slowing slightly but forging ahead.
Until Arthur quietly suggested I pull over.
"Why?" I wanted to know. Wasn't I doing a good job?
Well yes, he said, but he thought it might be a good idea if I stopped so we could change the flat tire.
 And here I'd thought it was just a bumpy road.

Then came the driver's test. HUGE FAIL. I couldn't parallel park to save my life.

The whole experience so freaked me out that it took me two more years to gather up my courage and try again. We didn't own a car and I had to borrow one so for my second attempt I drove a big old pickup truck. And PASSED. Yippee!

My first car was a used Chrysler New Yorker which I totaled eight days after I got it. It was a gift from my pastor and his wife.

My dad gave me my second car. It took two months to kiss that one off.

Can you see why my nickname was CRASH?!