Learning to drive, the Rowe method



Posted: Sunday, June 19, 2011

by Philip Rowe

My brother Scott Rowe was just learning to drive the family car. If I remember correctly it was a Toyota (no, not a FORD) and of course it was a standard. So, it was time to learn how to drive the stick! My mother, who can be modeled after June Cleaver or compared to as the modern day Mrs. Brady. will never speak ill of anyone, never utter an off color word and never known to gossip, was, at this moment, teaching my middle brother Scott how to drive the stick.

I was being picked up from work, my first job at 16 years old, and Scott was to be the chauffeur. Scott was having a terrible time with the change from first to second gear and my mother, with patience of gold, was guiding him through each stop. I can still here my mother say, "Now Scott... its no so bad" or "Scott, You'll get it. Don't let off the brake so fast and you won't jerk forward" and as we made our way home she would correct his driving, always it seemed at a stop she would say "ok, not so bad... You'll get it" as my head would jerk forward and back to the motion of first gear being popped.

Then, as smooth as his stops had become, he managed to make a clean and even pull away, no jerking from the stop sign and it was as if he had been driving for years. Without skipping a moment to praise her son my mother quickly said "Good Scott, you didn't jerk off that time"

When the looks between older and younger brother ceased and all that was left was an occasional snicker, my mother said "what?? what, did I say" She then quickly went over her every word and blurted out... "You boys!!!, Oh, my, I will never have another boy again" smiled and laughed!!

I am the last of the 3 boys. I was a quick learner when it came to driving standard.... enough said.

 Philip Rowe
Philip Rowe was born and raised in Baltimore Maryland. He is the youngest of 3 sons and enjoys theater and stage production as well as other hobbies including singing and reading. Although writing is new to him it is not new to other family members. Being the brother of Mike Rowe, it is no surprise his sarcasm and humorous quotes are family traits that are clearly seen from father, mother down to the youngest brother! Many of Peggy Rowe's blogs can be read on www.MikeRoweWorks.com in the water cooler Peggy Rowe's blogs. http://www.mikeroweworks.com/2011/06/tough-ish-love/
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