My Mom's First Limousine Ride
When my first child became a high school senior, it had become common for parents to rent limousines to take their kids to and from the proms. They felt it was safer than having to worry about their kids driving on that exciting occasion.
That's when I got the idea that my mom deserved to be picked up in a limousine for special occasions too. After all, historically the average Black American from my mom's generation only rode in a limousine as part of a funeral procession for a loved one who had saved money or had insurance to pay for such a luxury.
The first time I picked my mom up in a limousine was in 1988 to go to a Mother's Day brunch at a lovely beach restaurant. She was shocked to see a limousine pull up, and a little confused when I stepped out and my youngest daughter presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
Fortunately, I had arranged for a photographer to hide out in the bushes to capture her first expression.
She was surprised, and all smiles, but she was not able to completely relax. After spending her life being frugal, she kept worrying about what this must all cost.
I tried to reassure her that everything was paid for, and she should just relax and enjoy the champagne we had waiting. She tried, but she couldn't shake the fear that this was costing a fortune.
She even whispered to me that she'd be happy to help pay for it, if needed. I reminded her that I had paid in advance.
As the limo pulled away and headed toward the restaurant, she turned her attention to my 7-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son who were busily pushing buttons to find music they could agree on wafting from the speakers.
"Should they be playing with those buttons?" she whispered, worried they were out of line, or Heaven forbid, might break something.
"Yep, they are free to play with those buttons all they want," I said, knowing that she was still uncomfortable.
Once we arrived at the restaurant and were stepping out of the limousine, my mother whispered, "How will he know when to pick us up?"
"He'll be parked nearby and come up to the curb when he sees us come out of the restaurant," I reassured her.
She enjoyed the Polynesian buffet and champagne but was never completely at ease during that first limo ride.
She passed in 2002, but I’m happy to report that she eventually was able to enjoy my treats of limousine rides during her lifetime before that final one to the cemetery.
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