Letting Go

I am leaving for the holiday break in approximately a week. Before I leave, it's likely I will be digging into my pocket and purchasing a new automobile. This is not particularly interesting I suppose except that I've had my car for more than 15 years. We have traveled a lot of road during our nearly two decades together.

I've talked about getting a new car for about the last three years. And each time I would go and look, but never purchase. I was too emotionally invested to let my girl go. That was until I was put through a 'car intervention' by my friend who told me that he would not allow me to drive her past her birthday on 31 December for my safety and possibly the environment and all families within the tri-state region. (I think he over states things, but whatever!) In return, he has scored me a discount of 33% off the already discounted price and $1.5K as a trade-in on top of that. It seems hard to turn this offer up.

I will miss Camille, as she is named. We've been through a lot from boyfriends, to u-grads, grad schools, purchasing the first houses, and the loss of Bubie and Zaidie. We moved from PA to Boston to New York and back to PA, to name but a few, in our 15 plus years together. It seems appropriate that she be both adopted and put to sleep in the same state. She can go to car heaven and be with her fellow litter mates.

While there can be no replacement of my Camille, she will be followed by another 4x4. The new car will have leather seats, a sun roof, and be a status symbol. I tell myself this is OK because it's not a German built Nazi mobile, at least. Though, the Audi A6 wagon was tempting. For as much as I think people who drive status symbol cars are cobags, I am being promoted at work in 2010 and I need to finally put on my big girl pants. It's time to play the part of the golden hand cuffed corporate jerk that I've morphed into. It will not change that I am getting a deal on her and I still do not believe cars define me. However, the VP of Medical Affairs will no longer go to lunch with me and watch me roll down my window to let myself out. It's time.

So, tomorrow I am saying goodbye to Camille. I am going for a drive in 'Mushroom Country'. No, not that kind of shrooms, ya stoners! We'll drive through horse country and stop off for ice cream. We'll drive fast and slow on the highway, remember driving together during the blizzard of 1995, driving down Kelly Drive after Bubie passed away in tears, the birth of my children and bringing them home in her, and remember all that we went through to obtain her birth certificate from the State of Massachusetts; even though they never had any damn right to have it! Camille is a cherished friend and she will be missed. She'll always have a special place in my heart and for that, I am most grateful.

Goodbye, old friend!

P.S. I spent my weekend in a blue Alfa Romeo and no, AG is not at liberty to speak about this. Just know this, "If you had access to a car like this, would you take it back right away?"

"Neither would I."