As many of you know, we’ve been waiting for quite a while for Sarah to build up her driving confidence so that she could try for her Driver’s License.
Ever since she got her permit, Steve and I have driven with her everywhere imaginable, patiently guiding, correcting, encouraging and waiting for . . . The Day.
On Facebook Sarah captioned this, “I’m in the driver’s seat . . . alone!”
A few people had told us that some pediatric cancer survivors with treatment-related, slow processing speeds are never able to get their licenses. And even though it took Sarah three years longer than “normal,” she has persevered and has accomplished a great goal.
And I am not ashamed to admit that when she pulled out of the driveway for her first solo drive, I buried my face in Steve’s shoulder and cried like a baby . . . “happy, proud, my-little-girl-is-grown up” tears.
How wonderful it is to have something to celebrate today, before we head back to the world of hospitals tomorrow.
Congratulations, sweet girl!
Discussion Question: The only two comments the instructor had for Sarah was that she did not turn on her blinker OR honk her horn when she was backing out of the parking space.
WHAT? I have never heard of anyone doing either of these things! I can only imagine the chaotic cacophony of sound at the mall if everyone who was backing out of a space was also honking his or her horn.
Have you ever heard of that?
Congratulations, Sarah!!! What an exciting day for you! I have never heard of honking the horn or turning on turn signals while backing up. I think I’d be a nervous wreck if there was honking going on all over the parking lot!!
Congratulations Sarah! You are an amazing young woman! I am sure there are great things ahead for you!
Linda in Pittsburgh
WTG Sarah! Don’t blame mom for crying…..
How exciting!! Congratulations Sarah! It’s hard to believe that I’ve been following the blog since you were in elementary school. Now your graduated, driving, in college, two jobs, and such a mature, beautiful lady. I’ve never heard of honking and turning your signal on when reversing, and the picture you gave me of the mall parking lot has me laughing! What a mess that would be! I’m curious if they suggested hazard lights on when reversing or turn signals, and if turn signals, which way would you turn them on? Ha! Sounds so silly!
Congrats Sarah!! That’s so exciting 🙂 I never heard of honking when leaving the parking space (I’m in Canada)… that is weird…!
Hooray for you, Sarah! pretty funny signaling when backing out of a parking space..
if you are in a lot, do you signal which way the rear end is heading or which way the front will be going? If you are on the street, hopefully you will decide not to turn on to the curb and sidewalk, and will signal accordingly. Re honking: I would be a nervous wreck with that cacophony …. I have a huge startle reflex.
many, many prayers being said for you in MO!
Congratulations, Sarah! Now let’s keep the “Huge-Smile-Streak” going and have good news for us at the end of your ordeal tomorrow! Please know you’ll be carried on the wings of lots and lots of prayers.
Congratulations, Sarah! 🙂 Will be thinking of you tomorrow!
Wohoo!!! Congratulations Sarah, this is a big step and truly exciting!! Way to go!! Becky, you must be so proud of your girl! Sarah is an inspiration to me for her perseverance, attitude, faith and sincerity.
Your statement Becky about how even though it took three years longer than “normal,” she has persevered and has accomplished her goal really resonates. My daughter is developmently behind in most areas. But my philosophy is that she is on her own timeline and even if she cannot yet do things today that other teens her age can do, that doesn’t preclude her from one day being able to do those things and working towards her goals at her own speed. And It makes those achievements so exciting and meaningful when they come.
Thank you also Becky for your encouraging note on fb. I have not had an easy day and it meant a lot.
I will be thinking of you all and praying for Sarah tomorrow. Know that no matter what the future holds, God is holding Sarah close to his heart and will go before you. You will have people all over the world holding Sarah up in prayer.
Congrats Sarah!!! I’ve never heard of signaling OR honking your horn when backing out of a parking space. (And I’m your age, Becky and have been a licensed driver in five states).
Congrats to Sarah! I just passed my test Christmas eve, and when I was getting insurance – was told that the number one complaint the driving instructors have is that the horn is not honked when leaving the parking space / building. I had never heard of it either – but I suppose they have to say something 🙂 Again, congrats to Sarah – How exciting!!
Congratulations to Sarah!! I’ve never heard of the signal/honk when pulling out either. In fact, I’m glad it’s not standard practice!
Oh! And yes that’s what they taught my kids in drivers ed! Honk before backing!!lol !
Yay Sarah!! Congrats and enjoy your new car and freedom!! Hugs to all and prayers for safe travels and great results!!
Congratulations, Sarah. God is so good.
Praying for peace as you travel to your appt tomorrow and that you will hear the words “all clear”.
I know bus drivers have to honk before backing up, but I’ve never heard of anyone doing it in a car. You are right, it would be a chaotic mess if everyone was honking in the parking lot!!
Congrats to Sarah!!!!! Praying for tomorrow!!!
Oh, and also… the honking/blinker thing when backing out of a parking space. Nope, never heard of that. And, uhmmm… isn’t that kind of what reverse lights are for?
Congrats, Sarah! I got my license a bit later than most (just a year or so) but it was such a great thing for me… the implied freedom was awesome. And yesterday I drove a convertible for the first time…. SOOOOO much fun. Wish I’d tried that years ago!
Think your dad’ll let you borrow his car once in a while?! 😉
We don’t turn on our blinkers or honk the horn backing out of a parking space in CA! Congratulations Sarah, I knew you would pass. Many prayers still going out for good results tomorrow!
Congratulations, Sarah! That is so wonderful! From the wobbly riding of a bike to the confident driving of a car, in a blink. And no.. I’ve not heard about the blinker/horn requirement when backing, but it would actually not be a bad idea to keep from hitting pedestrians.
Congrats Sarah. Never heard of those things either, although this summer was standing behind a car waiting for my husband and the driver backed out and hit me. Never saw him in the car, never heard the motor running (electric?). He got out and apologized. Had a slight sprained ankle, but it was gone the next day. Hey, that honking might not be a bad idea when you’re backing up!
Congratulations, Sarah! Always safe driving for you!
As for tomorrow: you are all in my thoughts and prayers, that the biopsy will not show anything but entirely benign tissue. Hopes and wishes and prayers, that this is nothing but a very brief scare.
best wishes Nadine, from Germany
Congrats to Sarah!!!!! Never hear of that. Know you should give a signal and blow the horn when passing but not backing out of park.
Oops. Meant heard of that not hear.
Yeah Sarah!!! It is so very hard to see them leave out of the drive the first time and really every time. About the honking when you are backing up, that may not be a bad idea. I have a small car and when I back out I normally can’t see until I am out in the middle and then cars are honking at me that I backed out in front of them. But to think about it I don’t see how it helps to honk if you are the one backing up though people in front of you will think you are honking at them. Oh well. But no, I have never heard that. Praying that you all get good news tomorrow!!!
Congratulations, Sarah! I think you were smart to wait a little longer as you are definitely going to be a more “mature” driver. 16 year old drivers scare me! Praying that all will go well with your test tomorrow.
Woo hoo, Sarah!
Just so that you don’t feel like you were singled out though, my son (who is 18 and very cute, btw!) was dinged for that exact thing – he didn’t turn his blinker on pulling out of the parking space although I think his was a parallel parking space (maybe?!). It’s the only thing he didn’t do but his dad and I both thought that was really weird.
Congratulations again on this huge milestone!
I should have also mentioned that we live in Georgia.
Congratulations Sarah!! No I have never heard of those silly laws.
Way to go Sarah. In MN. we sure dont’ have to toot our horns or turn on the signal to back out of a spot. Now, when I drove school bus we were required to toot our horn when we backed out of a parking spot, but not a “home” vehicle. Had to laugh at Leslie’s comment of, “if it isn’t found on google its not true” ha! Praying so hard for Sarah and you all tomorrow.
Congrats to Sarah!!!! (And to you and Steve) And I have NEVER heard of that!
Three Cheers for Sarah. My son is currently going through “Driver’s Ed” here in Canada and I know that we do not have that law. When we are driving and all of a sudden we hear a horn blow it is not usually for a good reason. 🙂 Jodi: I love your ideas on the graduation and age of 18. Too many people believe that having a license is a right and not a privilege. On that note, I too will move on! Prayers for you and your family tomorrow Sarah.
OK, I looked it up on google. You are required to honk your horn when backing up IF you are driving a (large) truck or a locomotive. Not a car. And nowhere on google can I find an instance of using your blinker when backing up, for any vehicle. I am not sure that the tester was in their right mind, seriously! Because if you can’t find it on google, then we all know it doesn’t exist 🙂
Hooray Sarah! You go, girl!!!!!
Lesley,
Thanks for Googlifying it for us! As you said, if you don’t find it there, it doesn’t exist! I thought it was a very strange requirement; it’s interesting that so many of us had never heard of it, either.
Congratulations Sarah!!! I have never heard of that here in Kansas. Thats pretty crazy. I will be thinking and praying for you tomorrow when you go through your procedure. Good luck and take care.
Congratulations Sarah and best wishes, hope it all goes well tomorrow.
Oh Becky, that made me laugh too, thinking of everyone honking in a mall as they back up, I live in North Carolina and while we didn’t have to take the physical driving test when we moved here, all 3 of us had to take the written test and that was NOT one of the rules or questions on the test……that is too funny……
I’ve never heard that, but I giggled thinking about the mall at Christmas time if we all followed that supposed rule. I hope Sarah passes tomorrow’s ‘test’ with flying colors as well!
I have not heard about the honking thing before either. I think you might have to signal
I have NEVER heard of honking your horn as you back out. I’m afraid that I would be a nervous wreck and never park in a parking lot again! Congrats to Sarah and continuing to pray!
I actually have heard of the horn blowing thingy. Craziness!!
Yea, Sarah!! Yea, mom and dad!
Congratulations to Sarah! My nephew who is about a day older than Sarah as I recall didn’t get his license until this past April I think. He had his permit but just wasn’t ready to get his license and his parents didn’t push it. I’ve never heard of doing either of things when backing out of a parking space. I’d hate to be driving near someone when they suddenly honked their horn like that!
I finally got my KS drivers license last week, all I had to do was turn in my FL license and provide all the documentation you have to have now but I just hadn’t taken time to do it since moving here in June. It was August before I had the necessary utility bills, etc. that I needed to prove residency then work just got in the way.
Awesome job, Sarah! I was in no hurry for my DL either but my Dad had a different idea he was tired of driving me around! I think 16 is too young anyway & even at 16 thought that 18 was more appropriate! I also think that if a student drops out of school they shouldn’t be able to get or keep their DL until they graduate or turn 18! JMO! But, I digress! WTG, Sarah! I hope you enjoy your new found freedom!
Honking when backing out? Maybe it’s a NC thing? I’ll have to research IL law. All I know is that (like you said) it would be complete pandemonium if people honked while in reverse! So much so, that if it were for real it would get so old that nobody would pay attention to it anyway!
I will be thinking about you tomorrow, Sarah!
Love, Jodi
First and foremost, I want to say I’m keeping Sarah and the rest of you guys in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. As for honking or turning on the blinkers when backing out I have never heard of that either and I was pretty surprised that got bought up since some of the new cars have back up cameras.
Way to go Sarah! Sarah has always thumbed her nose at all the things they said she would “never do or would have trouble” doing! She is the best, she’s a work in process and God is going to continue to use her to show the world. I have never heard of beeping or putting on a signal to back out of a space. Have a great day
As far as the honking when backing up is concerned, I have never heard of that either and I think the instructor had to THINK up something to criticize and that is the most ridiculous thing to say! I agree, Becky, could you imagine the choas of honking cars and no one knowing what or why it was happening and IF there was a real reason for a honking warning, no one would pay attention – like car alarms….really, who bothers when one is beeping in the parking lot unless it is yours that you have accidentally set off and are so embarrassed and flustered it goes on and on and on for what seems days! Honking backing up…Don’t do it Sarah! People will freak out.
Oh congratulations Sarah!! What a great accomplishment! You will enjoy your new-found freedom and independence. 🙂 Always buckle up and NEVER text and drive. (Sorry….it’s the mom in me. I can’t help it!) Joking aside, I know that you will be a cautious and safe driver. Very proud of you!
You will be in my thoughts tomorrow and I will continue the prayers for the best possible outcome and that this is just a small bump in the road for you. ((((HUGS))))
PS: You aren’t alone Becky. I have never heard of signaling or honking before backing out of a parking space either! That’s a new one on me. I think if everyone at the mall did that, it could CAUSE wrecks! I’ve never done that and am not about to start doing it now. 🙂
WOO HOO! Great job, Sarah! Have fun. I so know that feeling of watching that first solo take off out of the driveway. You want to run after them, grabbing at the back bumper, holding on with all your might as you wail….”Please, don’t go without me! Be safe. I will be waiting……”
Congratulations Sarah!!! Such an exciting day for you!!