Taking the Wheel
There’s been another rite of passage at the Cohen/Vieira home. Our middle son Gabriel aced his road test, which may be why I feel so sick to my stomach this morning. Let me explain.
After leaving the show yesterday I met up with Gabe back home because he wanted to practice driving before the test. On his first attempt to parallel park, he bumped the curb just slightly, but it was enough to put a real dent in his confidence, even after an hour’s worth of mostly successful maneuvers.
By the time we got to the test site, I was beginning to feel nervous for him. I wasn’t even sure if I should wish him luck because I was afraid that might psyche him out. To make matters worse, we had to wait in a long line of cars for our turn, each one of them filled with another anxious driver-to-be.
Finally it was Gabe’s turn. I got out of the car, handed him the keys, and stood by the side of the road as he drove off with the guy conducting the road test. I called Richard to say Gabe was in the driver’s seat. And then I waited for what seemed like an eternity (actually it was closer to 10 minutes).
As Gabe pulled up (without bumping any curbs, I might add), I wanted to run up to the car and make sure everything was okay, but what if it wasn’t? So I decided to hang back rather than embarrass him. Either way, having his mommy hovering wouldn’t have been cool.
I could see that the test administrator was talking to Gabe but I didn’t have a clear view of Gabe’s face to know if there was a smile or a frown emerging. And then both of them opened up their car doors. As Gabe got out, he glanced at me and smiled.
For a fleeting second my stomach ache went away, only to be replaced by another one. I was so anxious for him to pass the test that I’d forgotten about the anxiety that comes once your child does. Gabe is the second kid in this family to have the keys to the car and now there’s a whole new set of worries. Every parent knows the feeling.
As we got in the car, I assumed he would want to drive home. But I think he’d had enough driving for one day. His only request was that we stop at Cold Stone Creamery for some ice cream. “No problem,” I said. At least for one more afternoon, the new King of the Road was still my little boy.
After leaving the show yesterday I met up with Gabe back home because he wanted to practice driving before the test. On his first attempt to parallel park, he bumped the curb just slightly, but it was enough to put a real dent in his confidence, even after an hour’s worth of mostly successful maneuvers.
By the time we got to the test site, I was beginning to feel nervous for him. I wasn’t even sure if I should wish him luck because I was afraid that might psyche him out. To make matters worse, we had to wait in a long line of cars for our turn, each one of them filled with another anxious driver-to-be.
Finally it was Gabe’s turn. I got out of the car, handed him the keys, and stood by the side of the road as he drove off with the guy conducting the road test. I called Richard to say Gabe was in the driver’s seat. And then I waited for what seemed like an eternity (actually it was closer to 10 minutes).
As Gabe pulled up (without bumping any curbs, I might add), I wanted to run up to the car and make sure everything was okay, but what if it wasn’t? So I decided to hang back rather than embarrass him. Either way, having his mommy hovering wouldn’t have been cool.
I could see that the test administrator was talking to Gabe but I didn’t have a clear view of Gabe’s face to know if there was a smile or a frown emerging. And then both of them opened up their car doors. As Gabe got out, he glanced at me and smiled.
For a fleeting second my stomach ache went away, only to be replaced by another one. I was so anxious for him to pass the test that I’d forgotten about the anxiety that comes once your child does. Gabe is the second kid in this family to have the keys to the car and now there’s a whole new set of worries. Every parent knows the feeling.
As we got in the car, I assumed he would want to drive home. But I think he’d had enough driving for one day. His only request was that we stop at Cold Stone Creamery for some ice cream. “No problem,” I said. At least for one more afternoon, the new King of the Road was still my little boy.
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Hi Meredith,
Oh boy do I know how you feel only my son passed that test over 15 years ago and he has done great ever since. I know it is easy to say don't worry, Gabe will be fine because you are still going to worry but it seems that with the bringing up he has had that he knows what is expected of him when he is behind the wheel. Just think you have only one more to get through that test and when your daughter gets her drivers lisence you will have another one to worry about, there is never an end to worrying about your kids even when they have their own kids, then you will worry about your grandchildren.
Tell Gabe congratulations from one of your biggest fans
Love ya Meredith
Joan K.
Wisconsin
Meredith, you sound like the best mom ever!!! Next to mine of course :). Just look on the bright side, now you have another driver in the house, which will come in handy now that Ben's gone.
Reading that was like déjà vu for me Meredith. The exact same thing happened to me when I had to do my driving test.
A lot of love and affection for you family (and in this case Gabe) really often shines through in your blog Meredith. It's really lovely to see.
I had the same exact experience... didn't it feel like forever!!! then they talk to them which seems like forever and they get out of the car and smile!!!
The worry never goes away my 2 kids are 24 and 21.... they say, little kids little worries... big kids, big worries... I am in my 50's and my mom still worries.... oh well that's why we are the mom's.... congrats to Gabe!!
Congrats to "Baby Gaby"!! ;)
Now all he has to worry about is.........those God-awfully high gas prices!!!!!
Joe
Your story was so touching...you are a sensitive, loving human being and mom.
About that plastic surgery book, now MOTHERS are supposed to echo the messages kids see in movies, magazines and on TV? How many more ways can we tell kids that they aren't good enough? How much more unhappiness can we cause those who can't afford to buy the "beauty" only the surgeon can provide?
Could that surgeon have been any more transparent about the real reason for writing the book? Self interest was written all over him as he attempted to convince us that his concern is for children seeing mothers bandaged. His real concern is promoting the reason for those bandages, which is what gives him a lucrative living.
If women refused to buy into the narrow definition of beauty defined by the media and plastic surgeons, the doctor's bank account would not be as full as it is today and females wouldn't be passing a hatred of their inherited features on to their children.
Hi Meredith,
You are awsome. You are so loved by so many poeple that watch
you on TV. Maybe you should try rubbing some of your kindness
to Kathy Lee, that woman is terrible. She is so mean to Coda.
I can't beleive NBC does not see this.
To Scott, That is one reasdon Kathy Lee rubs me the srong way, she can be so insulting and she thinks it is a big joke. Maybe someday she will she the light and stop this.
Love ya Meredith
I just want to say I am one of your biggest fans in Atlanta, Georgia. I use to live in New York. I am 36 years old and really nervious to say that I have a healthty crush on you Meredith. I loved you on the View. I don't even start my day until I see you on tv. Anyway keep up the good work. Email me anytime.
hey meredith
PLEASE have the Jonas Brothers on your show! i love them!! I think it is a great idea so tell the ohters!!!
THANKS!
Meredith:
I love you generally, however, your interview today (Moday, May 5th, 2008) with Senator Hillary Clinton left much to be desired----and you should view yourself in comparison to the interview conducted by Matt Laurer of Barrack Obama today as well.
You cut off Hillary repeatedly, you appeared to be uninterested in her responses and almost never let her finish answering the questions you were asking. It came across as incredibly rude and incredbily unprofessional, particularly since you had a combative tone when asking questions.
Cutting off people is generally rude and rarely appropriate---why have someone on the show if you will give the impression that you are not listening to their response, or have pre-determined that you don't or won't like their resonpse and therefore will just cut them off in the middle of their thought or response.
Its bad anchoring and even if she is not your favorite candidate, its poor form and rude behavior in any conversation.
Oh My! You have conquered one battle. The next is when he wants to go out ALONE and drive himself there. I was a nervous wreck. Good luck!
Dear Meredith,
I really enjoy watching the morning show since you join .
I had the chance to visit the show lives last summer.
I did leave you some informations about the skin care Arbonne.
I am curious to know if you are familiar with the arbonne
products? Formulated in Switzerland and made in the USA since 1980. You can visit the website arbonne.com .I recommend the Re9 anti aging line. It's amazing ,the night cream is are best seller.
I'll be happy to answer any questions.
Sincerely,
Isabelle Tilston