Bye, bye Explorer...
When Mac told me we needed to get rid of my 2004 Explorer, I was elated! I mean, who doesn't want a new car? When we bought the Mini Cooper a year ago, I thought it was "my car", but its kinda turned into a summer date car.
When you're talking practicality, the mini doesn't cut it. I drive four children to school during the school year, with my carpool, and put on a lot of miles. I'm on the road almost 2 hours a day, and have been doing this for 20+ years! I need something that's good on winter roads, and good for everyday living. The mini cooper is not that car! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the mini cooper, but you're not fitting 5 of us in it. And, Mac doesn't want to put the miles on it, or drive it in the winter.
Which leads us to this morning. I went out last night and got home to Noah telling me, "Dad sold your Explorer"! Which means, I'm getting a new car. I knew this was coming, but now I'm sad. As it drove away from me this morning, I shed a tear, yep, I did. Mac just shook his head and laughed at me. But thinking about all the fun times we had in that car is bittersweet.
I remember visiting my best friend's Mom and Dad's 50th Wedding anniversary down in Illinois. Noah and I went and decided that since their house was full, we would put all the seats down and sleep in the Explorer. We laid in the back, watching the stars through the sunroof. I seriously loved that night with Noah.
When we woke up we both started laughing because a cat had jumped up on my car in the night, and was sleeping on the sunroof glass! Have you ever seen the bottom of a cat's body pressed against glass? Its quite funny.
I remember driving down the highway one day and my hood blew up! I was crying, and quite hysterical. I called my handy, dandy husband and of course he took care of me. But now when I think of that day, it was quite funny!
The stereo rocked in that car. The girls and I would crank the music, put on the heat full blast, roll down the windows, and pretend we were in sunny Florida in the middle of winter!
I've delivered many field lunches in that car. Open the back, and voila, breakfast, or lunch is served!
Driving my daughter to college was a big day for the Explorer. Moving my daughter out of the house. Moving her back in the house. And, yes, moving her back out of the house.
So you ask why I'm sad to get a new car, that's why. I've grown attached to the trusty black beast. She's gone, but I'm sure the new car will be just as filled with memories as the last.
I hope to see it driving down the road someday, it only went to Elkhorn. I will wave, and smile, from the seat of my new shiny car, with the heat on high, windows rolled down, and the radio up high......
