The test never happened.  I never got to look at Mr. GRE in the eye, never got to see if he was as tough as I’d been imagining.  I didn’t have valid ID.  How simple of a mistake, but how huge considering that it is a very necessary necessity to function in this country.  I’ve had problems at the MD MVA in the past, have stood disappointed at the counter on several occasions, and the need to obtain a new driver’s license naturally was pushed into a shadowy corner in my mind. 

And the big date came, and I wasn’t prepared.  I felt like I had fought a war, and was defeated – without doing anything at all, not even sign my name at the registration table.  I had forfeited my payment, forfeited my test date, and forfeited my sense of accomplishment for a couple of days. 

I tried my best not to sulk.  If I’ve learned anything these past months, it’s that sulking never helps me to feel better.  It never fixes, or better yet, erase a sticky situation.  So I went to look at African and Asian art at the Sackler gallery downtown.  Some of the pieces I saw were amazing – so intricately detailed. 

I’m glad to say that I’m not walking around with a dunce cap anymore.  I do admit that the Perfectionist in me tried to continue to complain and whimper.  “Why didn’t I take care of this before?  Why do I always feel like I’m running into a concrete wall when it comes to me and drivers’ licenses?”  (I won’t go into past experiences, but they involve sobbing, having my car overheat and stall on the George Washington Bridge, going to the MD MVA to take the tests on Tuesday, and being rejected yet again.) 

But thankfully, Miss Perfectionist is starting to mature.  She’s starting to smooth out her edges.  She’s learning to let go of the daily imperfections that are bound to happen, that should, and will, happen because I am human, and because I’m still journeying through life.  Hopefully, soon, with a driver’s license.