A Great Day at the DMV- Really

It’s my birthday week.  Along with presents, special meals and back rubs whenever I want them, I get to renew my driver’s license.  In person!  And you would not be-LIEVE the best luck I had at the DMV today. 

First of all, my time spent in the colorless place came in just under 2 hours.  With the Olympics still on my mind (which I did not watch this year because I thought my husband didn’t want to watch them, and he thought I didn’t want to watch them- HELLO!? Communication problem?), I think that time sets a medal worthy record.  I really do.

In addition to my personal best time record, when Lydia started getting a bit cranky and tired of the giant bag of books, toys and snacks I lovingly provided for her, a nice lady handed her an unopened bag of fruit snacks.  She happily took it and even said thank you.  Then, when I pointed out that the little boy sitting in front of us was looking over his shoulder and salivating, she bounced off her chair and gave him one of her gifted fruit snacks.  (She almost gave him the one she pulled out of her mouth, but I intervened.) 

But I was sure my luck would run out when I went to take my eye test.  You see, I don’t see.  At least not very well.  I was sure they would stamp a big fat DENIED across my application for renewal.  With my heart pounding, I peered into the machine and began spouting off the letters I saw.  When I pulled away, the lady behind the counter was looking at me with very very very raised eyebrows. 

“Maybe I should put on my glasses,” I said.

“Good idea,” she said.

I peered again and STILL could not see the letters very well.  So I mumbled about how hard it was to position my head just right, and oh, my daughter keeps pulling on my leg.  The lady was incredibly understanding and told me to take my time.  “It’s not a race,” she said.  (While I definitely appreciated her kindness, I’m pretty sure that kind of attitude is what keeps people sitting in that drab building for hours on end).

I squinted and was 70% sure I said the right letters. 

“Good enough!” she said.

REALLY?

My heart started calming down as I realized I would not have to figure out our city’s poor bus system, but I braced myself for the line that would surely now be on my license, saying, “Corrective lenses needed.”

And then after a few moments of paperwork…

“Did I ask you if you wear glasses or not?” she asked.

“Ummm…” I said.

“You know, do you wear glasses?”

“Well, I HAVE glasses and I sometimes…”

“But you aren’t wearing glasses now, right?” she said, looking at my now glasses-less face.

“No.”

“Great.  And you certainly passed the eye test.  Here’s your temporary license.  Expect your permanent one in 4-6 weeks!”

I walked out in a daze as I read my new license that has no restrictions or stipulations.  I drove home feeling quite incredulous at my good luck and the sweet lady’s short term memory problem.  But you don’t have to worry if you see me driving near you: my glasses are always securely on my face when operating heavy machinery.  And an appointment with the eye doctor for a stronger prescription is definitely now on my To-Do list.