Car ownership is a great responsibility. One learns all the rules of the road and how to be courteous to other drivers. Driving a car allows a person to run daily errands and to enjoy the scenic routes. The privileges of driving behind the wheel have allowed my bio-units to get around and go places.
There are three simple phases that I made up to describe the evolution of our bio-units unit: newbies, peak and retirement. I’d like to utilize examples of each car that my bio-units ever owned to describe small events that filled our lives with memories. We still have pictures of these cars, which are seven in total.
Phase One-Newbies: The newbie phase is a testing ground that goes uphill and is difficult to climb. Couples are blissfully unaware of what challenges lie ahead in their relationship. My bio-units struggled financially without any support from bio-units or friends to guide their new life in America. They lived in apartments and military houses.
As newlyweds back in those years, my bio-units owned their first light blue Chevy. That used car brought us home from the naval hospital in Portsmouth, VA when Brat and I were infants. We went to parks and beaches and traveled in the snow from this car. This Chevy was given to (once again) ungrateful relatives on Maws side that came to America in the 1980’s
The second one was a dark green Buick Electra 525. Our childhood was filled with good moments with this car. Brat got his face stuck in the electrically powered window and of course he cried. We traveled to Virginia Beach and fished along the beach near the ruins of military area. My bio-units loved fishing back then as Brat poked with a wood stick into the bucket filled with the captured fish.
One time I drained the battery while listening to the radio without setting the key to accessory mode. My first behind-the-wheel was this car. The accelerator pedal was very smooth and easy to step on because of the powerful gas guzzling eight cylinder engine. This Electra was totaled in an accident. I missed that car.
Phase Two-Peak: The peak phase is a middle ground and the highest point in a relationship. The bio-units unit undergoes growing pains as each try to live a normal life with relatives and friends. With both bio-units working, the bio-units was able to eat better and enjoy living comfortably in a single bio-units residence.
The third car was a bright red Chevy Citation. The car replaced the Electra to allowed Paw to travel long distances. This was a beater car and the first kind of front wheel drives. This Citation was donated to a brother of Maws friend. He lives down the road and still uses this vehicle. We would point out as we drive down that road, “Hey, there’s Paws car!”
The fourth car was a dark maroon Toyota Corolla. This car was also a beater car that Maw used to go to her work. Brat and I used this car briefly after high school. This was given to the same ungrateful relatives who in turn sold it to another buyer. Brat scared the new owners somewhere in a parking lot by exclaiming, “Hey, that used to be our car!” Because he recognized the stickers still left on the bumpers.
The fifth car was a bright white Honda Accord. This car was used mostly by me when I attended college. It was used to go to some parties and study with some friends. Brat took over this car as he commuted miles north in Hayward, CA. He used this car to date a lot too but he ended up totaling the car coming home from work one day.
Phase Three-Retirement: The retirement phase is the final stage that seems to go faster downhill each year. Each bio-units unit has accomplished much over the growing years and both Brat and I have new lives to lead and potentially families of our own to raise. My retired bio-units no longer struggle financially due to their hard work and dedication to their bio-units over three decades. Their jobs, however, will still continue when the next generation is born.
The last two cars are new additions to the garage. The sixth car is a light gray Mercedes E420, which is their retirement car. Brat and I insisted they get this last one for themselves because they deserve something descent. The gas it guzzles is not practical in today’s high gasoline price, which in my area is around $2.90 per gallon for the premium at Octane 91.
Maw and Paw usually take this car to attend mass daily in the morning. Maw has not driven behind the wheel of this one and I understand why. This one is too big to sit inside. Besides, we three don’t mind looking ‘cool’ while driving one these powerfully fast cars.
The seventh car is a light aquamarine Mazda Protege. This serves as their second hand car in case the other one is in repair. Paw chose the color because it’s his birth color for the month of May. I like this car because it fits me like a glove for my short stature of 5’4″. The only things I don’t like about it are the poor braking system and terrible suspension system. These two existing cars will either be passed on to Brat or me.
I’ve driven all six cars in my lifetime and will always know the difference in driving experiences of each one. The oldest cars are always the toughest as the newest ones get easier to handle and more fuel efficient. The bio-units is like new cars and each generation is always more improved. Growing up together with cars has made our lives easier. Cars have been part of the bio-units.
Copyright © FVDF. All rights reserved.
Link to Flynn’s Daily Blogs
Sunday March 26, 2006 – 10:22pm (PST) Edit | Delete | Permanent Link | 0 Comments