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RITES OF PASSAGE

My youngest passed her driver's test on Thursday. It was a long passage. Not at 16 as you might imagine but as a young adult. Why? you might ask? Why not, I'd reply. You see, I've seen the newly licensed 16 year olds on the phone, speeding, running around by themselves for the sole purpose of running around by themselves. Taking cars the two blocks to school. Disappearing long after they should have been home. No thank you.
Our kids weren't allowed to consider having a set of wheels beneath them until they were 18. For my daughter, this was the year her grandmother died. Followed by a horrific accident for her older sister. Mowed down by a speeding semi on the interstate. Frightened to death as we all were, she postponed her time behind the wheel.
Just last year, a hunch I held was validated by statistics; judgment is the last part of the brain to develop. In 18-25 year olds.
LookSmart's FindArticles - Ready for the road? - car accidents leading cause of teen deaths; states enact graduated drivers' license programs

Current Events, Oct 31, 1997


Hmmm. So my thoughts that teens can't hold their focus were not just the imaginings of an over-protective mother. So we celebrated by daughter's accomplishment. Her first run as a driver? Taking mom to the store.

New avatar for the New Year

My new look courtesy of Yahoo avatar. Now if I could just create my own avatar!