I have been to many an antique and classic car show but never the celebration of the new. It was crowded and energetic and the vibe was even better than I expected. The kids took turns being the "driver" as we jumped in and out of every vehicle without little velvet ropes or the such keeping us at bay. Sometimes I would linger in the passenger seat waiting for the next random child to pop in. I'd glance over at them and simply say, "Where we headed?" just to see the reaction I would get. One kid took me to Iowa and another to the moon. Mostly, the kids and I went to the beach especially when we overtook the bright yellow jeep.
Some cars made me sad. The idea of spending $175,000 on a box of metal with wheels just angered me. Quality parts, exceptional craftsmanship...yada, yada, yada...it still only drives you to the store not to Venus. Just seems odd when so many people with so little need so much. Other cars inspired me to be an idiot. When I hopped into the bright green little sporty thing I simply had to blast the radio to the point where I was vibrating in the seat. Ahhh, the car show. So many emotions so little time. It was fun to play pretend for an afternoon. It also made me think of my old collection of ladies:
1. Yellow Ford EXP - first piece of crap that I owned. It had no back seat just an odd metal bar across some black carpeting. People knew me for my car. Martians from outer space could spot me as well.
2. Maroon Cadillac Cimarron - second piece of semi-crap. Yes it was dubbed the housewives caddy and the fancy Cavalier but it was mine. She had a sun roof and leather seats and an Alpine stereo that might have caused some hearing loss during 1993.
3. Pontiac Sunfire in Raspberry Metallic - she was fresh from the showroom with 18 miles on the meter. She was never touched by another owner and we entered the grown up portion of life together.
4. Silver Pontiac Grand Am - spotted her in a little movie called Lethal Weapon and did indeed enjoy her as well. My first baby came home in her back seat.
5. Green Honda Pilot - it was the first year they produced this little SUV. This lady could fit 8 of us and we took it to maximum capacity every chance we could get.
6. Weird blue Honda Pilot - current buddy of mine just a tad bit newer than the first.
I have decided that for my mid-life crises I will go for a Jeep of some sort if my current life status allows. I couldn't help but to look back on my odd collection of ladies. I sold everything under the sun at a yard sale to buy the first. The college years and working 2-3 jobs at a time paid for my Caddy. I purchased my new car all on my own. They become a part of your history. Sometimes they are a reflection of who and what you are at the time...a dumb kid or a concerned mother. Sometimes they are just what was on the lot and cheap enough. They got me and countless friends where we needed to go. I got a breath of fresh air when I needed it (my therapy of the time), took my Mom on adventures for lunch, drove to new places and even lulled my babies to sleep. My next one will be for me. I have a rule that I can't own the same color more than once so that in itself will be quite the fun little challenge. You never know, I just might find that candy apple red classic mustang one of these days.
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