Back in the good old days we didn't even HAVE three-point turns (or did we and I missed it?)

I just checked into FaceBook (which according to Man-Child usually signals that I'm about to get off the computer - since I'm done with all the "fun" stuff for me).

As usual, I just glanced through quickly to see what is going on with those friends who simply cannot communicate in any other medium other than FaceBook (what is up with that?!  I have at least three email addresses and three phone numbers!  I've told them repeatedly, use one of these avenues to find me and I'll respond a lot faster); took a peek at what Man-Child's been up to and did a quick scroll through the Most Recent News.

Lo and behold, MC's best friend (who happens to be a prolific FaceBooker) had posted this morning that he was going to take the test for his "real" driver's license.  I took a quick scroll through all the comments to see the result.  I should have realized - had he passed it would have merited a Status Update.  After all the well wishes, at the very end, he commented "I didn't pass - failed the three point turn."

My heart broke into a million pieces for this extra wonderful kid.

Back in the day (uh, note to self.  Find a different phrase, that one makes me feel old!) when you were going to take "The" test you were only able to tell whomever you happened to reach on the phone (pre-cell phone days, etc.  AND most of us didn't have phones in our rooms, call waiting, caller id, etc. either).  You simply did not have the ability to announce to the world where you were going and what you were doing at every single moment during the day.

So when you failed the test (as I did.  A couple of times, if you must know.  And why, yes I AM a good driver - it was circumstance that caused me to fail.  Really! Quit listening to Hubby - he doesn't know what he's talking about) the admission only had to be made to a handful of friends (who even remembered that you went in the first place).

I sent along a comment of comfort (I know he will appreciate it; although MC will surely have something to say about me actually making a comment to one of his friends.  But he's a deleter - so I'll ignore what he has to say.  And speaking of deleting - he actually did it to me again!!  He posted something HILARIOUS.  I restrained myself and only commented with . . . . . "Ha!"  And for that?  I was deleted again.  I'm currently plotting several VERY embarrassing posts/pictures as revenge.....oops, I got off track again, sorry.)

Ahem.  Any way.....

This is what the world wide web has brought to us.  In all your excitement you put it all out there for the world to see (and comment on) and then when you mess up that too is all out there for the world to see and comment upon.  Which could lead into another conversation about blogging, etc.  But, I won't go there.  I blog fairly anonymously and am pretty particular about what actually gets published (oh the posts I've composed and deleted......in hindsight, I probably should have saved them just so I could chew over them later...and possibly published since it appears that those that have been typed when I'm in the grips of something seems to resonate with you guys far more than my more pedestrian ones - oops, there I go again down a completely different path.  Now you know what it is like to have a conversation with me in real life-bonus for you!).

At any rate, I wonder if the teens today have figured this out yet?  This particular kid is great and I've yet to see any teasing or ugliness regarding his failure to procure his license.  So far, I've seen nothing but support (which cheers me because I realize this kid has surrounded himself with people who are true friends).  But I know that there are kids (and adults too) who aren't supported whenever they bare themselves to the world.  And that - makes me sad.

I try like hell to live by the motto my mother used to repeat to me often, "If you can't say anything nice, keep it to yourself." (which truth be told - she had a hard time living up to.....)

It's hard.  Especially when you are doing it online where you have the "invisibility cloak" somewhat.

 But you know what?  It's still the right thing to do.

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And just so you know - when I started out this post was going in a whole different direction.  But then I got started and this is what you get to read. Because, I apparently, I also have the ability to distract myself.  And?  I think I may have out-done myself with the parentheses and side trips this time.  It's gotta be a record, even for me.