Theoretically

I learned how to drive a car since I was in second year highschool. But still without a driving license then, I don't want to engage myself in driving at that time (though it is one of the things most young people are itching to do). I think it is what they say in Filipino "masarap ang bawal". So I just kept all these driving lessons that I got back then in the little corner of my brain. My brother started to learn how to drive also about a year ago. Since he was at the right age, he got a driving license also. I know he has this gift in driving so my mom and I just let him drive all the time. I just enjoyed my place at the back seat, sight seeing, eating or even reading books while we are travelling. A couple of weeks ago, my brother went to a youth camp in Caliraya. The baton of driving was passed on my hand. Before leaving, my brother bombarded me with all the pointers on how to drive -- the gears, side mirrors, calculations, parking technics, etc. I do driving just inside our village but beyond our village's gate is another story.

The moment of truth came, it was Saturday morning. My brother had to be in our church for their departure to Caliraya. He drove the car to our church but I was tasked to do the driving back home. Good thing it was early morning so only few vehicles were on the road. I think I gave my mom a fright with my sudden swerves and heart stopping curves. My mom and I made an arrangement that we will just commute on Sunday morning going to church. I was quite relieved also. I don't have to worry about driving anymore. But early Sunday morning, my mom changed her mind and asked me, "Do you think you can drive going to church? Besides it is more convenient than commuting." As a loving daughter, I gladly took the challenge and the opportunity to serve my mom by driving her to church. I also said to myself, this is it -- a time to practice all the things that I've learned before about driving including the bits and pieces given by my brother. Thank God, we were able to arrive at our church just in time and to go home safe and sound. What an experience! I can still remembered how my knees trembled and how fast my heartbeat was after we parked the car at the parking lot and at our garage.

I was just thinking now that theoretical knowledge is nothing if not put into practice. Theoretically, I know how to drive but by experience I don't. You'll never really learn something, in this case, driving skill, without actually getting behind the steering wheel, start the engine, change the gear and drive. I was reading a lot about pain, hurt, sorrow. I thought I already knew about them but it is a different story when you are into pain, hurt and sorrow. I tend to forget what I've learned theoretically. O forgetful me! I just hope that I would remember and apply all the things that I've read and learned theoretically when I face and experience life's challenges. I guess this is what they say, "experience is the best teacher (...but not all the time!)".