[Dejibo]

its time. I have known its time for a long time, but have been denying its time. im so sad about it.

I have been trained to drive big rigs, fire engines, rescue squads, race cars, and the like. Driving has been a huge passion of mine for a long time. I used to jump in the car and drive from Upstate NY to Jacksonville Florida in one fell swoop, other than to stop for gas. LOVED IT! now, I get to the corner store and I feel woozy, exhausted, lost, and some days a bit confused.

its been safe enough for a couple of years for me to go to the post office, or local grocery or local MD, but as the last two years marched forward, and my eye sight went, and my stamina went, and my brain fog set up shop the car just sits. I pay taxes, registration, insurance...for a car to sit in the driveway.

The DH has asked if he can use it for a trade in after selling his car privately and we can take the money and buy an upgraded SUV hybrid. This way we get 45 MPG, still have 4WD, and some luxury in a nice car. We have talked about it for almost a year. its time. two weeks ago I finally gave in, and said yes, you can have my car.

I miss driving so much! it was one of my greatest joys, and I was good at it! I will be 50 in a few months, and it just seems too young to hand over my keys.

So sad.

[Kitty]

I stopped driving recently, too, Dej. My own choice. I still have my driver's license and, if in an emergency, could probably do okay. But it makes me soooooo uncomfortable. Yes, I miss it. But just knowing that I don't have to.....and I made the decision myself......means alot to me. I feel like I'm the one in control here......and nobody is telling me (other than MS) not to drive. I'm doing it for my own and everyone else's safety. Yes, there are times when I wish I could just hop in a car and drive around but traffic here has gotten so bad...and people are just so rude....I'm glad to not have that stressor in my life anymore. Plus, not having to pay for a car I don't use is a pretty sweet trade off!

[TheSleeper]

I still drive, but not often. After 30+ years of tooling around in an 18 wheeler it just isn`t fun any more. I like where I am at and have done most of what I wanted to do in life. I drove a total of about 1000 miles last year, and expect to do even less this year.

I too can see and end to it coming though, it is nice to have the option to come and go as you please?

[nemsmom]

I have recently had to give up driving due to visual issues. We are talking about trading my vehicle and his in for one vehicle that would do all that we need.

I'm having a hard time with it as well. We live in a very small coastal town and to get to anything I would need to drive. So I have to depend on family and friends to get me there.

I think the hardest time is when the kids ask, "Mommy, can we go to the park or the beach?" and I have to tell them no because I can't drive!

I hope you we can all find ways to be okay with this!

[KittyLady]

I gave up driving this past October. Driving was a big deal to me. If I wanted to go shopping, all I had to do was hop in my van and go. Now I have to wait for my dh to get home and hope he is up to going out. Or wait for one of his days off and then hope IM up to going out. Im only 41, and never thought this would happen to me now, but the cog fog I have has put me in 2 accidents, and my right side weakness has left me unable to lift my right leg to operate the peddles and my reaction time is not there anymore. For safety sake, I quit driving. I know its for the best.

[barb02]

I thought you had sold it months ago. I do remember a discussion about selling your car, don't I?

[Blessings2You]

One of my nightmare scenarios is losing the ability to drive. My husband gave up his license years ago--always hated to drive, then developed medical problems and let me chauffeur. We'll be in deep puppy chow when/if I can no longer drive.

[Dejibo]

Originally Posted by barb02

I thought you had sold it months ago. I do remember a discussion about selling your car, don't I?

We had talked seriously about it in December, but the deal fell thru, and I was so upset about losing my car, we didnt bring it up again. Tax time meant money discussions, and with it, came realistic expectations on what we do with our stuff. While it was him that pushed last time, and pushed me hard, it was me that agreed to it, and actually helped him pick out a vehicle we can both enjoy this time.

So, yes, it almost happened months ago, but we signed the papers this time, and its for real. Nothing like signing your name on a contract to make things real. But thanks for asking.

[Dejibo]

DHs friends showed up. LOVED his truck. made a nice offer that I refused and made a counter offer that they accepted. They got a nice deal, we got a nice deal. I already negotiated the deal on using my car as a trade in, and got a good deal for it. So, it looks like this week we shall have a new baby in the driveway. it has loads of toys like Sync and Sirrus radio and a back up camera and heated seats! I miss heated seats! They feel so good in the winter time. Once we sign the final stuff I will get a photo to share.

I am really trying to concentrate on what we are getting vs what I am losing. Trying to spin it in my head as a good thing. its just that I have never ever been without my own car since I was 15.

[Kitty]

Congratulations! How exciting! I still look at cars on the road and have my favorites but have come to terms with the fact I'll no longer own one. And I'm okay with that. I hope ya'll enjoy your new car and I can't wait for pics!