Oh, what I do for my kids.
I am terrified - TERRIFIED - of driving in snow. I'm scared of driving when it's 70 and sunny so it's no wonder that low visibility and sliding tires just about do me in. I think at least half of my fear is justified. No one wants to slide off a road or through an intersection. I am, however, well aware that my refusal to leave the house when it snows is not normal. I don't care where I'm supposed to be - if the morning news shows even whisper "slick" I'm not leaving.
(The one exception being when my nephew Sean was born. It was during a horrible snow storm and I got the call that he was just about ready to arrive and Amy was asking for me. I still can't believe I got to the hospital - it was the type of storm where there was no telling where the roads ended and sidewalks began. But I did it and I was there when Sean was born! It was worth 100 miles of slippery roads.)
This morning I walked past the front windows and saw snow on the street. "I'm not leaving," I immediately told myself. I then started an internal struggle with myself. Sam only has school two days a week so I hate for him to have to miss a day. Plus I know it drives Eric absolutely crazy when I refuse to drive. But, I argued with myself, 2 hours of preschool is hardly worth chancing an accident over. I went on the local news website and saw that there were delays and closings. I was convinced I should stay home. I looked closer and saw the delays and closings were in Iowa. I was again on the fence.
Sam told me he didn't want to go to school. When I asked why, he said because it is too cold outside. It IS too cold outside - I don't blame him for not wanting to be out - but I couldn't help but worry that my fears are rubbing off on him. I don't want my kids to feel crippled by fear for any number of reasons (snow, stoplights, bridges, water, horses, needles...seriously, I need help).
I wrestled the kids into their snowsuits. I had to gun it out of the garage to plow through the pile at the end of my driveway. I crept along, braking well ahead of stoplights, and left a distance between myself and the car in front of me. I got Sam to school with no incident and Matilda and I are now safely home.
Now I can just sit back and shake in terror until it's time to go pick him up.
6 comments:
Good job, Emilie! I'm proud of you! Don't forget you can put the car in "low" for your creep down the hill. I admit you live on a pretty wickedly steep hill.
Yes, I remembered low (I didn't have to do it today). It's so bad out Eric's office is closing early. Why do I always get bursts of bravery when I truly should be scared?
hahaha. It is a burst of bravery. I remember a car ride to Como in a storm (which ok, upon hindsight was probably not a good idea) and you panicked me when I wasn't panicked!
You're a great mom. But do be careful on that hill. I would drive in snow on that hill too often either.
at least you didn't have to drive on the most dangerous night in the world:)
Bwa ha ha ha ha! Megan!!
I was secretly thrilled that we were sick this week so that I had a good excuse to go nowhere! You are not alone! I am a phobia queen!
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