New Car
The timing was actually better than it could have been. It was Wednesday afternoon on my way back
from Friday’s about 5 blocks away. The power just went out. But miraculously, 2 people in red trucks
stopped to help. Amazing that people still care about others. There we were, waiting as I gazed over
at my old car.
I still remember when I got the Grand Am. A neighbor (who had a Mercedes Benz ) and I took his car as
we looked at the Grand Am. Unfortunately, the T-Bird that I owned was on its last legs. The salesman
was really expecting something perhaps newer, but not this car, for a trade-in. The predecessor to the
Grand Am did allow for some comical moments as the salesman, speechless, eyed the old car before
having it hauled away. But back to the Grand Am--Built in December of 1996, it became mine the last
day of December, and the birth of a friendship began. When I buy a car, I listen to the car. Occasionally,
I will listen to the radio, etc., but mainly, I want to hear the sound of the engine. Does it have pick up?
Does it sing? It’s always a blessing to have time with my car with no distractions, and I had time to get
used to my car. The day after I bought my car, I left for Westerville, Ohio, where I worked at the
predecessor to Chase Bank in the International Department. As a temp, I worked nearly 2 years at Bank
One.
The Grand Am was not just a car, it was a part of my identity. I found out that people actually judge
others by the car they drive. It’s rather a silly notion, because I am me no matter if I have a car or not.
So I look to what I want in a car. But people knew who I was when they saw the car coming.
Like a fond pet, the car became a companion, taking me to work, taking me home, taking me to get
groceries, and taking me to the movies, the Indiana State Fair, to family events, and to places near and
far. It greeted me in the morning with 93.1 and Terri Stacy on WIBC, in the evening with Denny Smith,
and on the weekends with Dr. Dirt and Pat Sullivan.
The car was relatively healthy, and until recently, was well cared for. I still listened to the engine, but I
did not know that danger was lurking until it was too late. My neighbor was a bit taken aback when I
talked about my vintage car, and I still remember her saying, “It’s just a car.” But to me, this car
represented freedom, a wealth of experiences, and a bond not so easily broken with a flick of a switch.
So now I am entering a world of new birth—I think my new car had 39 miles on it when I bought it. ( I
may check that later.) After nearly a week, I am beginning to hear the song of the new car. I do have
over 100 miles on the car, with nearly 80 miles of my own on them. I guess I will need to take a photo of
my new car since I am hopeful to have a good and lasting relationship. And again, I will listen with the
radio off to hear the new song sung by the engine. I will take it to be cared for during breaks from work.
Surprisingly, the new car is like a new puppy. It is engaging, and I am beginning to appreciate its many
qualities: frisky, young, and vibrant.
So now I am entering a new world. As I go to my new school with my new car, we are both entering
unknown territory. And I hope that this car will bring me good memories as did my Grand Am.