My Life As a Car

MY LIFE AS A CAR

My life started out as a new piece of steel. First, my frame and axles were made, then
my body and fenders were stamped out, new seats and an engine were installed and my windows, lights, and gauges were added. Finally, wheels and tires converted me into a beautiful car. Now… I’m not egotistical; I’ve just heard from several folks that I’m beautiful.
I was purchased by a family who lived on a farm. Over the next 10 to 20 years, I was loved and well cared for. My first family washed and waxed me often. They even
changed my oil and did other maintenance on a regular basis. Boy, was I a happy car!
As years went by, time took its toll on me. My paint faded, my chrome started to deteriorate and peel. My fenders even started to rust. My owner just didn’t seem to care
as much about me. His kids spilled food on my seats and once or twice, they couldn’t
wait for the restroom and you know what happened to me. They even got sick on my interior. I slowly became sad. Life was getting very cruel, and I was feeling old and
ugly. But I could not foresee what would be in my future.
One day, the lady of the house came out and said, “It’s time for a new car.” Oh how I
was crushed! She didn’t understand. How could she be so cruel after all I had done for them, all the miles I had traveled with them, the places we had gone together as a family. Not long after, a newer car took my place in the shed and I was put out to pasture. My
new home was in the barnyard with the farm animals and the weeds. Occasionally the
kids would come and play in me. They pretended to drive me and to honk my horn.
After a while, I even enjoyed their company. Then they got rough – Oh, so rough! Some
of my windows were broken, my radio knobs were pulled off, and they even flattened
some of my tires. I was mad, but what could I do? Remember, I’m just a car! So I just
sat there and pouted and rusted. And rusted some more. Years went by while I sat out in
the rain and snow. I wished for a better life, but who would want me in my condition? I knew I looked bad, really bad.
One day a man came out to see me. This man was curious about me. My owner was
also there and he laughed about the way I looked. He also told the other man about me
and how I was cared for until I was “put out to pasture”. Then, the other man opened my hood and dozens of wasps flew out, causing him to swat his cap at them, but even that
didn’t deter his interest in me. He really seemed to like me. I thought he might run when
he saw the snakeskins and field mice, but he didn’t seem too concerned about them either…although he did make a comment about the mess they had made of my
upholstery. The man looked and looked at me. It was as though he were a doctor giving
me a physical. He checked my “heart”, er… engine several times. He checked my floorboards and lower body panels for cancer. He looked at my chrome which was all
still there, but some was bent and pitted. He sat in me and caressed my steering wheel. I didn’t know what to think. I hadn’t been touched like that in years and here was a
complete stranger doing it. I was scared and thrilled at the same time. I knew something
was going to happen – but what? The two men walked away talking. I wanted to hear
what they said, but couldn’t.
The next day, the man came back. What now? I thought. The man brought several friends with him and they all looked me over. I overheard them saying that he had made
a good deal. I didn’t understand until my owner came out. He was carrying my birth certificate…you know…my title. Now, I knew what was going on. I was going to be adopted by a new family. They signed the adoption papers and my new owner made the
deal with a handshake and a broad smile. I don’t know how much money changed hands
and I don’t really care, but I was smiling, too. They jacked me up and put on different
tires. Boy, did it feel good to be back up on all four again. I was glad to be leaving that
old field! They pulled me up on that trailer for the ride of my life. To my new home I
went, with rust and dust blowing off along the way.
Now, at my new home, my owner really loves me. He spends hours on end with me
and you should see the new parts he got for me…like windows, lights, and upholstery.
He even gave me a complete engine overhaul. Now, I purr like a kitten. As a matter of
fact, he completely rebuilt and refurbished me. I look like new, especially my bright
paint. I’m beautiful again! My new owner took me to a parade and the people there
loved me and cheered for me. People pointed and smiled as we drove past. Then we
started to go to car shows where I would gleam in the sun. The old men would talk about
a “brother or sister” of mine they used to own. Most would say, “Best car I ever owned,”
or “Wished I wouldn’t have sold mine.”
One day my new owner took me back to my old home. I was scared to death. Why
were we going there? Finally, the man came out to see us. Boy, was he surprised! He
went running back into the house and called for his wife. They couldn’t believe their
eyes. Even their kids came out to see me. They asked if we would pose for a picture for
them. We said “Sure”…I mean my owner said “Sure”. I just tooted my horn for them.
They all loved me. I posed my best pose and they snapped a whole roll of film without stopping. I never dreamed I could have this much fun again. My life is now a dream.
Keep dreaming……..

Timothy K. Holbert
2043 Meadowbrook Road
Bridgeport, WV 26330