I sold my 1999 VW Cabrio last week. I know that most of you do not understand the gravity of that statement. It is a sentence I thought I would never write.
I bought the Cabrio new in 1999. It was the best car I have ever owned, and over the years he became an old and dear friend. Together we made numerous trips to Florida and countless trips to the golf course. We participated in a bike ride for charity. We took many trips to the mountains and rides through the beauty of the East Georgia farmland.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 was our greatest ride ever, and bonded me to this little car in a way I cannot explain. This was the day of the infamous 2″ snowstorm which crippled Atlanta. Say what you will, but I was out there in it and believe me, it was a treacherous nightmare. I left work in Smyrna at 3 pm. We fell in behind a tanker on I-285 just below I-20 and followed him closely all the way. The little Cabrio kept chugging along and never once got stuck. My greatest fear was that someone sliding and fishtailing would hit us. The Cabrio had never been wrecked, you see. The tanker, the Cabrio and I broke free of the mess at I-85 and I-285 by the airport. We made it home to Conyers at 10 pm.
Why is it so hard to say goodbye to our cars? The Cabrio was running fine, but he was falling apart. The electrical system was shot, and kept draining the brand new battery. The top was leaking, the brakes needed new rotors and pads, the interior a complete makeover. I refused to give up, and spent way too much money last summer keeping him in the road. Not a smart decision financially, but we did have one more season in the sun together.
Why do we love our cars so much? I think it is due to the fact they are an extension of us and our personality. We depend upon them so much, they often eventually become part of the family. That is why it becomes so hard to let them go. So, goodbye, Cabrio, old buddy. If there’s a Rainbow Bridge for cars, I know you’ll be there waiting for me… Keep Cruisin’! –J.
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