The Last Driving Lesson

From: Njules (njules@ix.netcom.com)
Story type: Angel
Location: Fairfax,Virginia
Source: Form Submission

My father, Alan, was a man of few words and yet I always sensed that he truly loved me and was very proud of me. We always had a special bond and a way of connecting on many things. Most of all, we shared a very dry sense of humor and had the gift of being able to find the light side of most things.

Of the many wonderful memories of my father, the one that stands out most vividly is the time he spent teaching me to drive! I consider myself to be reasonable intelligent but for some reason not very coordinated... especially when it came to learning to read traffic signs, give signals, apply brakes, all the while trying to steer the car which was going at a very unsafe slow speed during our lessons. My hands were gripping the steering wheel and my breathing had almost come to a complete halt! I finally received my driving license in Los Angeles,much to the relief of my Dad. Soon my parents moved to Fairfax,Va. and I remained in California to finish college.

After I moved to Virginia in 1984 I again found myself getting "driving lessons" from Dad with regard to the inclement weather so common in these parts. Dad was again very patient and the master of understatement.."breathe and release your grip on the wheel" he would say all the while appearing very casual.

My Dad died in 1992 at home following a long illness. Two weeks afterwards, this area had the first of many sudden snows that winter. I was at work when it started with ice and snow and knew that I had 12 miles to go on a long narrow two lane road. I decided to leave work two hours early hoping to at least get an early start home. I got behind the wheel of the car and first said a prayer to have guidance and help for a safe trip home. I was worried about my disabled Mother and daughter at home as well.

Soon after getting on the road, I noticed that I was again gripping the steering wheel and holding my breath. All of a sudden I felt my hands being covered with firm strong hands. I sensed that Dad was doing the driving. Yes, my hands were on the steering wheel, but I was definitely NOT doing the driving. As we moved along at a slow and steady speed I heard my father speaking to me in my mind.It was the same as when he would take me out to practice driving many,many years ago. I felt so very calm and "controlled". The usual 30 minute drive took an hour and a half but the time seemed to fly by as I enjoyed this special time with my Dad.

After safely parking the car at the house, Dad was gone. I felt him give me a firm and gentle hug and a light kiss on the right cheek before he left. To this day I can still recall these feeling as if they happened a few minutes before.

Life was very chaotic at this time in my life and I was not sure that our loved could or would come back to give us assistance and love. I had not met anyone who knew this first hand, and I had not read many articles that related this information. After this brief and very powerful experience, I knew with absolute certainty that we are never really alone after a loved one dies. They do continue to watch over us and to give love and guidance to us in many ways. I guess I learned the lessons of this driving lesson well for Dad has not returned to help me with the driving and I have never felt the overwhelming anxiety while driving in blizzards and severe storms. I no longer white knuckle the steering wheel and hold my breath!!