ponderingsat80’s posterous

“Guess what I’ve just done!”  I shouted to my youngest son as I came through the door. "I bought a car!" 

 I was so excited - I was shaking.  In fact, I shook all the way home from the car dealership. My son, a law student at the time, had come with me  to look at cars, and when we had narrowed it down to a couple of makes and models and I was ready to buy one, he abandoned me and I ended  up having to to buy it alone!

 I had no idea what I was doing – how could I?  I had never done anything like this before.  I had a car of my own; one my husband bought for me when the lease on the car he was driving expired and we were given the option to buy.  This time, however, I was looking for a car to drive in the country – something safe to drive on ice and snow – perhaps a 4wheel drive? 

 What did I know about cars . . .  I sat in the office wheeling and dealing and shaking.  The salesman  must have has  been smiling behind his sheet of options and prices.  I remember well, there were two of them sitting across the desk from me rattling off numbers, offering accessories and so on, while I, naive and ignorant,  sat nodding my head yes and no.  After much discussion – discussion?! . . .   With spinning head and trembling hands, I signed the purchase form for them to place the order.

 “So, what kind did you buy? He asked.  "And when do you pick it up?”  “They'll  call me when it's ready;  in a week or two, I think.”

 I could not believe that I had bought a car!  . . .  When I finally got control of myself and found the courage to take another look at the purchase order, I  saw the model that I had bought and I relaxed - both my son and I   agreed  that I had made the right choice.  

 It arrived sooner than expected and I had to go pick it up, which was another, not only exciting, but terrifying day.  I drove through heavy traffic in a new car I had not driven before and I was sure I'd have an accident, put a dent in it or scratch it.     

 When I related  all of this to friends at a dinner party a few days later, several of the women admitted they'd  had a similar experience.  What was it in those days that made buying a car so frightening?  Why was it so daunting and overwhelming?  Many of us had had babies, surgeries, sick children, moves  . . . and far more taxing things to deal with.   We all agreed, however, that it had been a positive experience;  one that was stimulating and exciting and one that showed we had the ability to make sound decisions; it also taught us to be more assertive and in so doing develop self-confidence.   

 I have bought several cars since then but now, have come full circle - I am ‘sans’ car, by choice.  We recently became a one-car family when I ‘sold’ my car to my granddaughter.  I am proud of  this decision – not only  did this provide her with a much needed means of transportation, getting down to one car is better for the environment and it definitely makes it easier on the pocket book!

 Owning a car is necessary for people who live outside the city, in small towns where public transportation is not offered and in the country, when one lives far away from things.  My husband now uses public transportation to go to his office and I  try to limit myself to shopping or driving to the country only.  Two cars are no longer necessary and certainly no longer important.  It is shocking to see what man has done to the environemnt; we can only hope it is not too late to turn things around.  Climate change is real and I am ashamed to think we have contributed to global warming, or as the saying goes,  left our own carbon footprint.  I would be happy to buy an electric car should  the need arise.   At my age, however,  I feel I may be spared that ordeal.  Wait a minue, what am I saying?  It could be fun, it would be exciting and  I might find myself wheeling and dealing again!