A few weeks ago, I said goodbye to Reginald or Reggie for short - the car of my high school, college, and singleness days. And it saw me through dating and engagement and even made it all the way to sunny Florida. But a hefty vehicle registration bill and lack of need led to its demise.
It was a good little car that held so many memories of a significant portion of my life.
It all started with my great Uncle Earl who was a respectable car salesman in Charleston, West Virginia. Dad had contacted him to be on the lookout for a good first car for me. When he called that he had a rarely used car that a college professor just drove to and from the university, I started to get my hopes up. But then Uncle Earl mentioned that it was a manual transmission, and I remember musing that he'd just have to keep looking because I can't drive one of those. But my dad had other ideas. He was going to teach me how to drive it. So we made a trip to Charleston which was a fairly regular event for our family since most of dad's family lives there. On the way back, Dad drove my new car!
I still vividly remember trying to learn how to drive the thing on the slight hill behind Lowe's. Since Reggie was a stick shift, Dad insisted (rightly so) that I had to learn how to stop and start on a hill before I could drive it to Cincinnati to my school which was on top of a giant hill. In my mind's eye, it seems like it was a Sunday evening or Wednesday evening after church when Dad had me practice on "the hill" behind Lowe's. He carefully showed me how to stop on the hill, push in the clutch, and pull the E-brake. Then when I was ready, slowly release the E-brake while letting up the clutch and pushing the gas. I didn't get it. I stalled over and over, jerking the whole family with me. I tried again and still couldn't get it. There were tears and I remember Mom saying, "It's okay, honey! We can take it back and get you another car to drive!" "No! I can do this!" I replied. I asked Dad about the other way, of just using the pedals. Foot on the brake and clutch. Slowly ease up on the clutch while giving it a little gas. When you feel its urge to go, let the clutch out. I got it! I finally got it! Sure, it was jerky at first, and I needed lots of practice, but I could drive it AND start and stop on a hill (which I had to do, many a time).
My friend Rachel did say that I was the smoothest stick driver she knew. :)
Ahh. So many memories in Reggie.
That snowstorm where I hit the ice and spun around on the interstate ending up in the left shoulder instead of the right hand lane that I was intending.
Driving to college, early in the morning drinking my coffee and eating my banana and giant fudge round.
Trips to West Virginia and North Carolina.
Chauffering friends down to Music Hall to take in an orchestra concert. Running that red light (or was it a stop sign) because I was distracted. Oops!
Listening to music. Goodness, lots of music.
Thinking about life. Praying to my heavenly Father.
Chatting on the phone.
Trying to stay awake on my long drives to and from school. Waking up just before I nearly crashed into the wall on the exit ramp. I think my guardian angels were extra busy with me!
It was a good little car and took me the places I wanted and needed to go. But it was time for him to go. Time to move on. Time to let go of extra baggage, the clutter. He had been long dead and had just sat around for years.
His spot on the driveway is still clearly visible where he blocked the Florida sun for four years. But, I know soon that area will be the space for tottering feet, for a tricycle, for chalk art, and more.
It's okay to move on to the wonderful phases that are coming next.
