[/caption]This past March, I was sent a notice from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) informing me it was time to have my driver's license renewed. Outside of my basement, the DMV is one of my least favorite destinations in Madison. The DMV gave me plenty of time to accomplish this renewal task. However, I kept delaying going on this somewhat unpleasant journey.
Finally, I was up against the clock. I had only one week left to renew my license. I was discussing this with someone that I work out with (who happens to be a funeral director which I find fascinating not at all what I would envision a funeral director being--she is lively and energetic and really funny.) As I was telling her how I was trying to decide if I should get a babysitter or take my children with me. She strongly suggested that I take my children. I mean other people must take their children, too, what could be the big deal??
[caption id="attachment_355" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Just because bear ears are cute"]
[/caption]The day of the DMV trip arrived. I got the children all dressed and ready to go. We piled into the car and I prepared myself mentally for the task ahead. In some strange way, I felt as if I were preparing myself for our brain surgery that would happen in a month. If I could conquer the DMV with 2 small children in tow, brain surgery would be a breeze. Little did I know what was in store for me.
When we arrived, the DMV was much more crowded than I had imagined it would be in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday. I thought (or was desperately hoping) that it would be empty. We obtained a number and went to wait near the cameras.
[caption id="attachment_142" align="alignleft" width="287" caption="Ellie pretends to have her DMV photo taken."]
[/caption]We waited and waited and waited. While we waited, Ben walked up and down the empty chairs and walk/ran laps around the DMV waiting room. Ellie continually asked me when we could leave. She also sang a really loud song. You would be surprised how many people do NOT appreciate the entertainment value of my children. It is shocking when the people around me do not recognize the obvious talent my children are providing and for FREE. My children can barely contain all that talent in those small bodies. You may think I am merely a proud mama. But I am not lying about this, any one of their grandparents will back me up. We waited some more, watching anxiously as the "to serve" numbers changed on the board.
Finally finally finally, I was the very next number. More excited I have never been. Suddenly, Ellie got that look on her face like something was about to come flying outta her body (aka throwing up, vomiting, regurgitating). I looked around frantically. Oh man, the bathroom was entirely on the other side of the rather large waiting room. I knew that if we went to the bathroom right then I would completely lose my place in line. What to do?? What to do?? I found a trashcan nearby, which I quickly scooped up and ran over placing it near Ellie's feet. Sweet Ellie closed her mouth up tight and said, "I'll just hold it in." And much to my surprise, this technique worked.
[caption id="attachment_385" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Do you have a license sir?"]
[/caption]One of the DMV workers noticed my dilemma and asked me, "Is there anything I can do?" And I started stammering that Ellie wasn't feeling well, that I thought she was going to be ok now, that my number was next in line. He asked again, more insistently this time, "Can I help you?" Still not understanding that he meant he would go ahead and renew my license, I stammered out another incoherent way-too-much information response. When I didn't take the hint, he finally changed the numbers on the counter to say MY number.
I approached the window and left Ellie sitting in a chair where I could see her. Ben decided to hide under one of those tall counters used for standing and writing. He pretended he was hiding in a cave. This was fine, except that he was in one direction and Ellie was in the other. Taking the eye exam was the hardest part because then the children were truly in an unsupervised state, at least from me.
When I completed the eye exam, I was excited that we were very near the end of our stay at the DMV. The gentleman who was helping me, suddenly said, "Oh no." And I felt my stomach sink. The computers were down. I don't know what we did before computers. Everyone was scrambling trying to figure out how to proceed with no computer support. Finally, I was given a written copy of my driver's license (or driverslicence as Ellie used to say.)
Then we proceeded over to the area for a new photo. Ben was highly disappointed that he could not be included in the photo. I thought that would be an even better picture, the last time I had my DMV photo taken, I was pregnant with Ben. Ellie and Ben sat on a little sofa together waiting for me to complete my
[caption id="attachment_143" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="After the first Wisconsin DMV photo..."]
[/caption]photo. Ben kept getting up and running over to see if there was anything he could do to help with either the photographing or the computers.
When I told my work-out buddy the whole DMV experience, she looked shocked that I had taken her advice. She stammered, "I don't have any kids, you shouldn't listen to my advice about children."
When I went to the DMV last time I took 4-year-old Ellie and everyone there was entertained by her wanting to talk and look at magazines. They even opened a new line so that we could go through more quickly. The lesson I've learned from all this is that it may actually be beneficial to bring my children to the DMV with me for better service. At the very least, it gives me something to blog about.
That's a great story. I always look at my time at the DMV as special me time. I always go by myself with a good book and hope for long lines that will allow me to read and people watch. It's my special treat.
ReplyDeleteHey Jennifer, so glad you joined us. For those of you who don't know, Jennifer is one of our great friends from Chicagoland. One of those people who is always ready to jump in and help out. When Ellie was undergoing chemo, she made a special effort to find a stuffed animal dog that was just like her daughter, Rachel's b/c the dog had given Rachel so much comfort in times of stress. Anyway, now that I have your suggestion, Jennifer, I think I will be looking forward to my next DMV visit! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAh, the DMV. Not many poems have been written about the DMV. Jennifer has the right approach.
ReplyDeleteI like that Ellie said, "I'll just hold it in." Why does that make me feel all lovey-dovey toward her?
Here I thought you had found the only touchy-feely sensitive DMV employee in the universe. Someone working at the DMV in order to pay for their education in social work and underwater basket weaving. Now, before you social workers get offended by that comment, let me tell you that I am a social worker (Trying not to be, but still) and I can make fun of social workers if I want to! Nyah! I am so mature.
I was thinking the same thing that J (at MBG) said. She didn't really know what advice she was giving. Hahahahahaha! Haha. Ha. Sorry.
Next time, maybe I can go with you.
Oh man if you could have seen the sweet look on Ellie's face as she physically tried to hold the throw up in, barely moving her mouth to tell me that that was what she was doing, it was beyond words.
ReplyDelete