Independence

I have always driven since the moment I got my learner's permit at the age of 15. It was just something every kid I knew did, like a right of passage of sorts. I didn't realize at the time how priceless it truly was to have the freedom of driving. That is until we moved to Seattle three years ago.
When we moved to Seattle we had to down size to one car. Due to the cost of living there and living on one paycheck it was not feasible for us to be able to afford two cars and all the expenses that go along with it. It was agreed that my husband needed the car more than my son and I. He had to be to work by 5a.m. and often did not get home until 9p.m. at the earliest. A lot of people asked, could he not take the bus? Or a taxi? Or walk? We weighed all of those options but none of them worked out. Due to his hours and his need to get to the hospital in emergencies it was not practical for him to take a bus or taxi. He could very well walk the three miles to work but I didn't want him walking home in those late hours of the night or early hours in the morning in the sketchy neighborhoods he would've had to walk through to get to work and then back home. And so my son and I had to find things to do that were within walking distance to our apartment. If we needed groceries it was a 20 block walk round trip, and we did it a lot. Thankfully there were three parks within a mile in opposite directions to our apartment. We made it work but it was still difficult. One thing I regret was not taking the bus. As I look back on those years I think we could've explored more on our own had I taken the bus with the kids. There were times we would have to get up at 4a.m. to take him to work so we could have the car for doctors appointments and other necessary things but then I would also have to wake our kids up to go get him at all hours of the night when he was done for the day.
It did get a little better our third year there when he was doing his Congenital fellowship. He didn't have to be to work quite as early so it was more practical and easier to get the car during that year. I didn't realize the independence and convenience one loses when they do not have the ability to drive places. It was a real struggle for me to lose that aspect in life. When we moved to West Virginia there were a few weeks when we still had one car but we were so busy with tasks at the new house that it wasn't an issue. Also my husband hadn't started work in that time either. We now fill our two-car garage though and I will not hesitate to say I LOVE having a car again. To all of my environmental friends don't worry the kids and I don't drive around aimlessly but we do like getting out and about most days. I have come to appreciate the privilege and independence having a car permits.
 The struggles that were endured during the years of residency help to keep things in perspective for us and make us appreciate the things we have. And those struggles make us better people for it.