Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Eureka


The past, present, and future all combine when you teach your child to drive. Time winds down for a moment and your perspective becomes clear. This young person that you've loved so well and so long is crossing the threshold toward adulthood and independence, just as you did. It isn't difficult to remember being his age and taking that first step.

Of course, every education costs something, and this one is no exception. With speed and traffic and teenage enthusiasm involved, driving instruction is not for the faint of heart. In a sense, it's ironic. You've held this child's future safely in your hands for years, and now, as he takes to the road, he holds yours. (Although I am not Catholic, each time I get in the car with my kid, I want to cross myself.) Not only do I see my life flash before my eyes, but his as well. I see the little person who watched me wide-eyed in the hospital the first night we met, I see the fine, responsible boy he is now, and the man he will become.

On Sunday, my sixteen-year-old son and I drove an hour through the desert back roads to the town of Eureka. It isn't easy getting there. The drive can be down right scary with its winding curves through steep sage covered mountains. Yet, we survived with little more than a nervous twitch by my right eye. Eureka is an old place that time has left alone. There are abandoned, pioneer-era store fronts which have charming historic details despite the broken windows. A post office, several churches, two schools, and little else complete this tiny mining town. My son and I loved visiting.

I could make many comparisons between the trip to Eureka and writing. The journey to the end of a good story often has many unexpected twists and turns. We sometimes wonder as writers if it's even worth the effort. Long or short, that period of futility or doubt is forgotten when we crest the hill and arrive at our destination. Once the process of writing a book is over and we've done it well, the reward is always worth the price.

The dictionary defines the word Eureka as "a cry of joy or satisfaction when one finds or discovers something valuable."

It's a good name, isn't it?

20 comments:

  1. What a great analogy! And I loved how you described your son in the hospital at his birth and next to you behind the wheel of the car. I can so relate, even though my oldest is only 12. His childhood is going so fast (for me), and his driving days are right around the next bend. (Like my road pun?)

    It's been a while since I commented, though I read you often. I hope all's well with you, Roxy!

    ((hugs)) Nicole

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  2. What an incredible name for a place! Eureka! Brilliant.

    Your son has the best driving teacher ever! He's got the best start in his personal journey. It's onwards and upwards for both of you now!

    Take care
    x

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  3. My daughter will be getting her permit in two months and I am very nervous about it. Great analogy!

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  4. Roxie, have I ever told you how much I love your posts? You have such a talent for evoking emotions. My eyes are all teary now, thinking of my boys and when they're at the age yours is now. :)

    I've missed your posts, I hope all is well with you. Good luck with the driving lessons :)

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  5. I lived in Eureka CA for a full year and I can tell you some stories about the irony of that name and that place.

    Teaching my child how to drive! Yikes! I think I'd do anything to not have to do that.

    Jai

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  6. I stumbled onto your blog via another writer's blog, and decided I'd like to follow you. So consider yourself officially stalked. :)
    I love the analogy. Writing is such a journey, but it's one of the most rewarding journeys I've ever experienced!
    I can't wait to hear more about you and your writing!

    Put it on Paper

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  7. Beautiful story. Personally my husband taught our son to drive and it was six months before he was "allowed" to drive mom. Saved me some gray hair growth!

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  8. I really like this. How great that you got to teach him to drive in such a cool location. My mom was a nervous wreck when she took me out for my first lessons, and I'm sure I'll be completely out of it when I have to teach my Julia to drive. Oh gosh, don't even what to think about it!

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  9. Been there! My dad took us there as kids. I think we panned for gold there. Great analogy.

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  10. That's great bonding time together! I remember when my parents used to take me out to practice driving. *sigh*

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  11. Fun analogy!!! Great word! I love the word Eureka!! I would like to use that word NOW... Holy Eureka!

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  12. I missed you. I love your analogy. I'm all teary eyed just thinking of the day this will happen to me with my little ones. Beautifully written--as always.
    You also gave me some inspiration.
    I hope you are well!

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  13. I wish you and your son the best of luck in your twists and turns.

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  14. What a fabulous post! I can relate...almost. My son, who just turned 14 has started studying for his learner's license. Pretty scary that a 14 year old can drive a car here in Alberta. I can feel the pride you have in your son when you write, and I try to do the same. Eureka is a great analogy to writing. Love it.

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  15. Really enjoyed your post, it reminds me off that moment in Kramer vs Kramer when the little boy learns to cycle and Dustin Hoffman has to let go...
    I think I'm in the faint of heart category! the thoughts of my teen behind a wheel... its all about trust isnt it? In writing too..probably why I'm finding it so hard to finish my first novel! Thanks for the Eureka moment.

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  16. I can so relate to your experience. My middle son is also learning to drive. After each ride I try to calculate the years it subtracted from my life. My ticker will have quit tocking by the time my third son is ready to learn. My husband keeps telling me we will look back on the driver's ed moments with fondness. Although I know he is right, it's difficult to believe whenever my son is behind the steering wheel and my life is flashing before my eyes...(:

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  17. A good driving lesson and who better to teach it, than Mom. I never thought about it that way, but you are giving this precious commodity onto the unknown .... the wolves or what ever evil lurks out there. When driving, you can't stop and say, "I don't think I'm going to do this." You're stuck in the middle and it has to have a completion. I understand you mother's. It's scary.
    Manzanita
    Wanna buy a duck

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  18. This really made me smile. Just priceless. Thank you

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  19. I spent 1/2 the summer teaching one of my kids to drive and the other 1/2 teaching my other kid to drive. Scary times. Scary times. We survived, though!

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  20. This is a really great analogy, just as eureka is indeed a great word. Thank you!

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