Well, Today is The Day

I’ll admit it.  I have not necessarily looked forward to this day.  In fact, I put it off for as long as I possibly could.  However, time marches on, despite my objections.  The 12 year-old little boy that I brought home from Eastern Europe four and one half years ago is no longer a little boy.  He is finishing up his freshman year of high school and will be a sophomore in the fall.  Where we live, that means he’ll take driver’s education classes this summer.  We need to get his learner’s permit prior to that.  We are on spring break in our town and we’re catching up on a lot of things we’ve put off.  Today is the day to go for the learner’s permit.

In our state, students can get a permit as young as age 14.  Youngest Son was nowhere near ready for that responsibility when he was 14.  At that age, we were still trying to convince him TV sit-coms and movies were not “real life.”  Back then, he was only recently convinced cartoons were not real.  The boy’s world knowledge was so very limited when we brought him home.  It’s one of those things you’re just not prepared for and just don’t think to expect, but it became our new normal back in 2007.  In fact, we are still finding common knowledge isn’t all that common sometimes for Youngest Son and The Princess.

Our county’s DMV office is a branch office.  Therefore, because Youngest Son was not born in the United States, we need to travel to a state-level DMV.  There are three fairly close by -- about 30 minutes away in different directions.  We are going to the one in the smallest city of those three, hoping we do not to have to wait for hours on end.

He is so nervous.  If you read this post before early afternoon today, will you pray for him?  (And post a comment here that you are, so I can share it with him?)  He’s a smart boy, but he sometimes freezes for tests, even when he knows the material.  I think he can pass.  Man, I hope he passes!  Not passing will not be good, I’m betting, as failure is a major trauma trigger with Youngest Son.

Before we head to the DMV, we have a wrap-around meeting to attend for his therapy and community-based services.  His “graduation” from DBT and other services will be discussed at this meeting and he will be a part of it.  This is the first time I’m allowing him to be included in a wraparound meeting.  I fear I may be setting us up for a hellish evening.  On the other hand, I’m very hopeful for a great day.  He has come so far and is doing so well.

Keep your fingers crossed.