Licensed to Drive

Daddy has earned the reputation of being a terrible driver. This reputation is not limited to family members. Long ago residents along the road to his office learned to watch out for the blue and white streak of the 59 Dodge speeding down the road. One time when we were on the way for a visit in Montgomery, we were stopped once again in Hogansville for a traffic ticket, my brother asked daddy why he didn't get a charge account with the police there. Momma sat vigil in the front seat offering sporadic screams of "TOM" which were effective to direct his attention back to the road. Daddy could spot anything along the road while driving as he felt his driving skills did not require constant attention to the road. Also, he probably knew that if anything serious came up he would be forewarned with TOM. Momma is the direct opposite driver from daddy. Her top speed is 40. She slows down for every car she sees at any intersection, which is an invitation for them to pull out in front of her. Longevity has not enhanced their driving skills.

Momma developed macular degeneration several years ago. The progression was mild until last year when she stated she could no longer see the black dot on her mirror with her left eye. All the children suggested then that she ought not to drive. She stated that she could see "fine". We were coward enough to hope that she would not be able to have her license renewed that year but somehow she got them renewed. This year she has developed a rapid degeneration in her "good" eye. She can't see the TV, can't dial a telephone, can't read, but she did want to get her driver's license renewed so she wouldn't have to take a test when her eyes got better. Daddy drove her to the State Patrol office to get her license. First thing they asked to check her site. She put on her reading glasses, which do not help, and was instructed to remove them. She could not pass the vision test so they took her license. Momma said, "They snatched them out of her hand." Not to worry, she had a spare left over from when she misplaced her purse for three months. Now she and daddy have plans to go to another city for the license. They are like two underage teenagers trying to beat the system. I hope the State Patrol has some universal protocol that will prevent her from being a blind licensed driver.