Tom is not in the habit of passing many school tests, though he has been improving over the past 12 months or so. But today he passed his DKT (Driver Knowledge Test) at Service NSW, the precursor to being handed his L-Plates. So that is an achievement indeed.

Since he already has a car and now, he has his learner's permit, it is time to hit the road. 120 hours of driving practice in a variety of road and weather conditions is the requirement before sitting for the practical driving test. That is all ahead of him.

But like most things in life that seem too large to contemplate in the moment, one small step at a time, repeated dutifully and without looking too far ahead, is the best advice I can offer. It is not dramatic, but it works.