Wednesday 26 January 2022

Mum

Or: please let one of these mostly adult children pass a driving test soon.
"Mum, could we nip over quickly to Boulderworld."
"Now?"
"Is that ok? L (boss) says she needs my bank details."
Mum gets coat.
"Mum, could we nip over quickly to Boulderworld?"
It's 4.30 in the afternoon. We live in a north suburb of the city. Boulderworld is so far on the south edge of Belfast that it's nearly not Belfast at all. In less than an hour all the arterial routes between here and there will be at a nightly standstill. It's 4.30pm and BB starts at 7. My men are at Boulderworld climbing or, in this one's case, working, three nights a week. Tuesday night not being one of them.
"Now?"
"Is that ok? L (boss) says she needs my bank details."
Mum gets coat.
We get there and back before the traffic slows to its nightly standstill. We are home in time for dinner, uniform donning, and BB. We discuss life, the universe, and all things driving. And we see a sunset that isn't visible from the sofa where I can be found under my coat at 4.30 most afternoons.
One day one of these mostly adult children will pass a driving test, and then where will I be?!
 

8 comments:

Angela said...

My daughter was well into her thirties before she passed her test - preferring bikes or public transport. Just saying...

magsmcc said...

Ang, that's his dream. I think he wants to be Mike from Suits. In the bike and laptop bag sense only!

GretchenJoanna said...

Does BB stand for Boys Brigade?

Pom Pom said...

You're right. Car time is ultra special. Traffic not so much.

M.K. said...

Where will you be??? You'll be home, on your couch, under a comfy blanket, cradling a cup of hot tea, smiling to yourself :) Freedom!!!!

Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm said...

laughing out LOUD!
See what you're missing by not living on a farm? I learned to drive when I was in early teens. Daddy found an old car somewhere...granny joy stick, three speed...took me to the pasture, showed me how to shift...here's First, here's Second, here's Third and here's Reverse...GO for it!
By the time I reached high school and had to take driver's education, it was b.o.r.i.n.g. I'd try and nap in the back seat and the instructor would get testy. Very testy.
Mags, have you been to the Thistle Cove Farm fb page and listened to the girl sing her Daddy's song about his 57 Chevy? It's posted on Jan 26.
Thank you for very fond memories of being chauffered around Belfast and N. Ireland. XO

Pam said...

Ah, freedom is all very well, but there's nothing like mostly adult children WHO'RE STILL YOURS! Like, before some stranger comes along and says: I'll have her/him! (Just as happened to our parents, but we didn't really realise this. Sigh.)

Lisa Richards said...

If you're like me, you'll be worrying about them out there driving without a co-pilot, lol!

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