Houston, we have a problem by Kim Leady

Houston, we have a problem. Have you ever wondered what went through the minds of the people on the ground when those words came crackling through the air? I thought I had a pretty good idea as I watched the movie Apollo 13.

Boy, was I ever wrong!

A month or so ago my oldest, who has had his driver's license since January of this year, asked if he could please drive himself to his Police Explores meeting. The question caused great knots to form in my stomach. It's not that he's not a good driver because he is. In fact, he's more cautious than I ever was at that age.

It's just that not long ago while I was waiting for one of his meetings to come to a close, I witnessed another young man get his car stuck in the mud as he tried to leave this particular meeting area.

Thankfully, shortly after he had properly buried his back tire down to the axle, the rest of his friends emerged out of the building at which time they eagerly helped push their buddy's car out of the mud. Let's face it, boys of all ages love it when the circumstance calls for them to play in the dirt.

So, as my son pleaded with me to let him do this, that night kept flashing through my mind like a neon warning. I knew there really was no room to maneuver our big truck. This particular stone parking lot was only large enough to park maybe thirteen cars - small cars, and it was surrounded by soft ground.

He smiled, his eyes dancing with excitement. "Mom I can do this. I know the perfect spot to park and I won't get stuck. I promise. Besides, if I do, it's not like I don't have right there."

I nodded in agreement. He was getting pretty good at parking our big monster.

Four hours later the phone rang and guess who was calling me on the cell phone that I kept in the truck. That's right, Steve Jr. And you want to know what he had to tell me? No, he wasn't calling to tell me that he loved me, nor was he calling to see what I was watching on TV. He wasn't even calling to tell me that my truck was so buried in mud that it would take a week to find it. No, it was much better than that. He was calling to tell me he accidentally played bumper cars with a van in the parking lot.

I am thankful and happy to report the other driver in this little driving incident was a very understanding mother and they were both fine with no real damage to either vehicle.

Several days later, now gun shy to answer the phone whenever our son was out driving, I reached for the ringing phone slowly.

Actually, half of me had a great urge to jump on the phone at the slightest vibration when he was out now. It's just the other half that screamed don't pick it up; it can't be bad news if they can't tell you about it.

As I put the receiver to my ear, the warm voice was indeed our son. And here are the words that I now associate with 'Houston we have a problem'.

"Mom, we have a little situation."

The fact he could speak was a good sign, right? So, I asked as calmly as one could when one has all sorts of SITUATIONS running through one’s head. "Oh, are you okay?"

"Uh, yeah, but the truck is kind of not."

Kind of not. This probably was not a good sign. However, hoping for the best, I asked, "Can you still drive it safely home?"

"Oh, sure," he happily replied. "But I'm not sure if I killed the tree I hit."
I took a few more calming breaths and asked, "Are you sure the truck will run?"

"Sure Mom. I didn't hit it with the front of the truck. I hit it with the back."

"Oh," I said wondering what the backend of the truck now looked like.

And then he quickly put the big picture into focus for me as only a teenage son could as he said, "Don't worry, the truck looks great. I just gave it a little character. And besides, I left the left side untouched for Timmy when he starts to drive."

I guess in that case, it's a good thing we only had two children, for we only have one truck.



Kim

How did I miss this? This is hilarious, Kim!

Kim, you are good!!

I missed this one before too.....Just think, in 5 years Marshall will be driving, followed shortly by Peyton. You are giving me some good life lessons here!
Angela

I missed this one also not sure how I did that but that's a great story!! and I understand what you are saying, we've been blessed with Melanie (I'll chalk that one up to being a girl) but who knows about Jake whew it will be sad when my youngest pulls out of the driveway..

I don't want to think about it right now...

Thanks everyone.


Kim