My mother didn’t acquire her vehicle license until after my father died, when she was sixty-one years old. She tried driving when my brother and I were young but quit when she almost drove through the garage door. After Dad died however, their car was parked outside the door and Mom had to rely on others for transportation. She was motivated and after her third attempt at her license, Mom was successful. It was a huge accomplishment, a testament to her determination in spite of fear.
When it came to work on the car, Mom always went to the same garage. The first time she went there was shortly after she had her license. This garage had a pit in the middle of each car bay.
“Put yer car in here, Mam," said the mechanic.
Mom looked at the bay and said, "I don't know about that," pointing to the pit.
"You can do it, Mrs. Just take yer time," was the reply.
You can imagine where this is going, or rather, where the car went. Mom touched the gas and the car leapt forward, down into the pit. Though the car was undamaged, it took six men four hours to lift it out.
Years later, after Mom died, my sister-in-law took their car to the same garage. The workers remembered my mother when my SIL said her name. They laughed about the event. Mom was famous at this garage. Every new employee heard about her pit stop years after she was gone.
Life was always an adventure with our mother.
Life was always an adventure with our mother.
21 comments:
A great story! Of course they would remember your Mom after that!
Now, that's a great little story.
Oh wow, I can just imagine that the mechanics never forgot that story. LOL. Happy weekend Diane
Hello, I enjoyed the story, a great memory of your mom. Enjoy your day and happy weekend!
After my dad died, Mom bought a used car (nice one) she have driven twice. Her name was also Mary. She never had your mom's sense of adventure, however.
Ouch!
I know her terror. I needed a new radiator my van after driving it up and down Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. The fellow opened the service garage door and the pit from hell was before me. I got out of the van and told the mechanic to do it himself. He refused. If I wanted to get back to Ohio, it was up to me. As dumb as it sounds, it was a good lesson for me in self reliance. I was a newly divorced mother of two and it was my job to figure out life.
I'm so glad that initial accident didn't deter your mom!
Oh my, those pits make me uncomfortable too. Glad she and the car made it back out.
I just stopped laughing so now I can comment. Great story, Marie.
Your poor mother. What a testament to her courage and determination that she kept driving after that.
What a truly wonderful story.
What a good story about your feisty mother! I'm not surprised she is still remembered at that garage. :-)
At 61? Wow - good for her! And that is an awesome story, not just for the garage but to pass down the generations :)
I can only imagine!
Great story. Funny how these mishaps can be remembered for years after the event. There were two men called Fred who used to work on a farm near me, to separate them they were referred to as Fred-with-the-moustache or Fred-who-crashed-the-tractor.
hehehe...what a great story!!!
i take my mom for pedicures, the same salon every time. she always hits the table with her purse, and knocks everything off. she usually messes up her newly manicured toes and once she stepped on someones else toes. we always joke that there is a picture of mom on the salon door, with the words "no longer welcome"!!!!
Your story reminded me of my Grandmother. She had never driven either, until after my grandfather died and needed to learn. It wasn't easy for her. I don't know how many times she had to take the test, not sure that was ever discussed; but things like that had to be hard on women who were so reliant on the men in their lives. Must have happened a lot, given most women out live their husbands. I had an aunt, my Mother's sister who also never drove and either walked everywhere or relied on others. Kinda a fun story though about how famous she was, lol.
A sweet and funny memory and I loved the pictures of the fishing village.
My mom got her license in her late 20s. My dad had to teach her to drive. I remember some of those trips and I was only 7 or 8. She was afraid of the oncoming traffic - traffic that was staying in their own lane but still she worried they were not!! Ha! Dad kept repeating - you are just fine, they are just fine!! Over and over again.
Wow, that's really a "Pit Stop"
Made me laugh right out loud.
What a fun memory and adventure with your Mother.
Oh goodness me!
All the best Jan
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