Driving with Dad

By Alan Grant

Back when I started to drive - around 10 years old I think, my dad had an old 1950’s pickup he used for driving into the woods.  It had chains on the rear tires some big rusty spots and a 3 speed on the wheel, seats with springs poking up through it that you had to put a towel over.  Those were fun driving lessons!  Of course at ten years old what did I know about driving? 

I remember Tim and Jeff and I in the cab of the truck and Dad riding in the bed.  There was a field behind where we live and Dad said to drive around in there for a while. 

So I started driving and doing doughnuts with Dad in the back trying to hold on. My Mom at home was wondering why my Dad was driving crazy with three kids in the truck.  I don’t know if my brothers were scared or having fun.  Finally my Dad jumped out of the bed and told me to let off the gas. 

When he told my Mom it was me driving, let’s just say she was a little upset! That was my first driving lesson and where I learned to listen to my Dad.  

Not that I will be doing any doughnuts in a field again anytime soon, but I will always remember to let off that pedal!

I will miss all the fun we had with him.