I said goodbye to my car today

[Zomby Woof]

The verdict is that it is beyond repair.

After 13 years... from the end of college to the end of the Colorado Plateau... over 103,000 miles travelled om the great open roads of these western United States.

The psychological scars from the accident re-opened... I was taken aback by how much worse the damage was than I remembered, in my state of shock, that cold morning of the 8th.

I opened the trunk, grabbed my tool bag, my fishing gear, my folding chair, and my tapes.

I retrieved my maps, my windshield sun visor, and cleaned out the glove compartment.

I sat in the driver's seat, and oddly thought how random and sudden it all was. Life is fragile and fleeting and a gift beyond compare.

It is just a hunk of scrap metal, and it seems quite silly to get emotional over what I have always viewed as a strictly practical and utilitarian possession.

But our lives, delicate and swift, are often at the mercy of these dinosaur-burning constructs of steel, plastic, and rubber.

Tomorrow I sign over the title to the insurance company. I will re-direct the paltry sum into a down payment on a new machine. From there, a new set of memories, of hopes, and ventures into the Great Wide Open.

Life is great and beautiful, even during the bad times. It makes the good times so much sweeter.

:cry:

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. *big hugs* Change is rarely easy, even when welcomed.

[Zomby Woof]

2. I am grateful for all I have

I was struck with horror at the sight of the pick-up truck parked next to my car. The roof and windshield were caved in on the driver's side. I only hope it happened when the vehicle was unoccupied. Every car and truck a story...

:hug: to you too GPV.

[Bok_Tukalo]

3. When I finally gave up the Jeep with over a quarter million miles

it took me over a week to realize why I was bummed out.

[Zomby Woof]

4. It's odd

I am one of the least materialistic people I know. My books, CD's, and guitars are the only objects I have that I would think would inspire such insipid blubbering if lost or damaged in any way. :-)

So yes, I understand why you felt that way. Odd, huh?

[Floogeldy]

5. Memories

Memories of steel, rubber, and plastic. Paper, fibers, oil. Glass, Fiberglass, chemicals, aluminum. Dust.

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?

}(

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. Even machines have personalities...

I love Vanessa. Yeah, I'm one of those sentimentalists who names their cars. She's got 218,000 miles on her, and I'm hoping for at least another 100,000.

I'm sorry for your loss. :hug:

Here's to your friend :toast:

[Zomby Woof]

14. I never named it

And sometimes, it was a frustrating heap. Like any of us, it wasn't perfect, but you accepted it as is.

:hug: Thanks GoG!

[ZenLefty]

7. Must have been a good car.

When my old car finally rolled its last mile (driven into a lake by the ex-wife, but that's a long story), all I could think about was all the times it had left me stranded or wouldn't turn over on a cold morning. I was glad my psycho ex-wife drove it into a lake! Yours must have been one of the better ones.

So, how did it end up on the Colorado plateau?

[Zomby Woof]

15. Like me

It was mostly good. ;-)

I was trying to be poetic, since I live on the southern edge of said plateau. But I never took it that far to the edge. I don't think. :o

I mourned for you the other day when hockey season was officially declared dead. :cry:

Good to see you around, nose-ring aficionado! :hi:

[REP]

8. When My Car Died

People were telling me I couldn't bury it the backyard like a beloved dead cat.

My car died a far less traumatic death (18 year old car, 184,000+ miles, blown headgasket and heater core) and it wasn't really dead - it'd still start and could run, just not real well - but it wasn't worth repairing (it also had some serious body damage from when it was stolen from me, plus a driver's side door that wouldn't open from the inside). It wasn't old enough to interesting, just old enough to be old, and unlikely ever to be cool, but dammit, I loved that car.

So I know how you feel.

For what it's worth, it was replaced by a much newer used car that I already am quite fond of.

[Zomby Woof]

16. I am excited about getting a new car

I planned on getting one soon, but with a much quieter trade-in. Not like this... whew.

[Rhiannon12866]

9. I am just so sorry.

And I feel your pain. I didn't choose to get rid of my beloved car, but it was taken from me, towed away and crushed while I was asleep. I still have nightmares. I loved that car. And always hoped to find someone willing to do the necessary body work. I did, but the guy died. As I said, I feel your pain. I also consider my car to be a member of the family.;(

[Zomby Woof]

17. I think I was taken by the mortality aspect

But I do recall thinking about all the youthful idealism I had when that car was new... fresh out of school, teaching... just before the Clinton era began...

And the car, like all of us now, is scarred and bruised by age and experience.

[Rhiannon12866]

29. The Clinton era?!

Well, I do agree that it was a much better time, long before we had our hopes stolen from us by this illegal and treacherous crew!:grr:

But it's just that your car doesn't seem very old to me. I think Nixon must have still been in the White House when my car was new!:D

I inherited it from my mother after I got my license and the car was about 10 years old. It was a 1971 Plymouth Duster and I just loved that car.
:loveya:

And thinking of it does bring back feelings of idealistic and hope for me. I did, however, recently buy a new car which I also hope to have for a long time. It's a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am, and it's really very nice, Kerry-Edwards sticker and all.:-)

[Elidor]

10. A good car is an alternate body

And it's hard to just give it up. Especially if you don't have a new one lined up. It's almost like losing a friend sometimes. It's a little piece of yourself.

[Zomby Woof]

18. yes

13 years is a good chunk of time. A good chunk of life.

[Desertrose]

11. I was thinking about you today.....

Aww Zombyson, I am sorry about the car....there is something so sad about a crunched up car. I've had to say goodbye to a few myself and it is hard...they are like a close friend who has been on the journey with us.....they know all our secrets and shared so much with us....g'bye little car...:cry:

I am just glad you are OK.....you are OK, right????? Hopefully the weather will improve and no more black ice for you to run afoul of.....

Keep me posted about the new vehicle....don't buy the first one you see. LOL Time for a new beginning for you, I think:)


:hug::hug::loveya::hi:
Dmomma

[Zomby Woof]

19. I am much better

After seeing it yesterday, and writing my little blurb, I just broke down. It was a much needed catharsis. I staved off a pending migraine, and slept the best I have since it happened. My back hasn't bothered me all week either.

Tears are some of nature's best therapy. And cheap too!

I will be real careful with what I buy. Coyotemomma is the best wheeler and dealer in the world, and she is drilling all sorts of advice into my head. I have my eyes on a Nissan Sentra, which by many accounts, is a sturdy and reliable vehicle. Whatever I get, I may just have to surprise you all with a visit to show it off. ;-)

:hug: :loveya: Thanks D-mom!

[MissMarple]

12. You were in an accident?! Thank goodness you are OK.

I am so sorry.

For your car.

but I'm happy you are OK. You are OK, except for the car thing?

[underpants]

20. Yeah I missed that too

Glad you are okay. That's why they make more than one per person those things don't last forever.

[Zomby Woof]

22. I had posted a thread that day

But anyone who missed it should take comfort in knowing that they have a life outside of DU, and that is encouraged. :-)

Thanks underpants!

[Zomby Woof]

21. I am fine!

:hug:

Back on the 8th, I slipped on some black ice going 45 or so on the interstate. Did multiple 360's and hit the guardrail, and was hit by another car, but I am okay! Yesterday provided some much needed mental healing I believe.

:hi: MissMarple! Always good to see you.

[VOX]

13. With you, ZeeDub. Some folks bond with their wheels-they're more than cars

A car can be a suit of armor (precarious as that may be), an identity, a rolling history, and a moveable "safe spot" in an pretty angry world.

Hell, I **talk** to my car every day. Not long sentences, mind you, but just a pat "hello" and "thanks" for doing what I ask of it.

13 years is a good chunk of time; having the same set of wheels that long is a significant way to mark that time.

Sorry that your car came to an end, but am so glad that you're alive and well, and able to contemplate all this in fine poetic fashion. :hi: :toast:

[Zomby Woof]

23. Thanks KK!

Good to see you... always nice to see familiar Lounge faces. :hi:

[SarahB]

24. Best wishes, sweetie.

I hope your new one brings you just as much. :pals:

[Zomby Woof]

26. Thank you Sarahpants!

:loveya:

[WI_DEM]

25. what was the total mileage you had on it?

[GOPisEvil]

27. I remember saying goodbye to my first brand-new car.

I remember being so proud of driving it off the lot. To see it all smooshed up in the front was painful. I might still be driving that car today if not for my wreck. That was a GREAT car.

I need to scan the pictures and post them sometime. Amazing I walked away without so much as a scratch when the hood folded up and hit the windshield.

[Pithlet]

28. I know

I bawled like a baby when we traded in the minivan that we took our newborn son home in. I don't think it's so much the things themselves that we mourn, but the transitions in life, and our cars seem to play a part in those.