The Nissan

I was 17 when I got my first job. I cooked, ran the register, took orders and dispatched delivery drivers for Pizza Hut. When I turned 18 I started delivering. It was a good job as far as high school fast food type jobs go. I made some money and probably more importantly a commitment to go to college so that I would never put my self in a situation where a career waiting tables at a pizza joint was putting the food on my table. Not that I didn't like the people I worked with, they were all really nice, I even had some respect for some of them. But what a sad way of life - I promised myself I would never have to live that type of life.

My next job was also waiting tables, at Libby's El Rey. Well I have to say I had a lot more respect for my fellow employees at Libbys - it was a family business. They appeared to enjoy running it, they made great food, had tons of loyal customers and friends and also contributed much to my piggy bank.

Well when my piggy bank was finally full enough I bought a car. I looked around for a while and finally settled on a 1989 Nissan Sentra. If I remember right it set me back about $3500. This was the summer of 1995. Well that little car and I have been through a lot together. Just shortly after I brought it home it took David, Kristin and I down to Mexico. We went on a 2 week adventure driving around Mexico finally turning around a couple hours south of Mazatlan. We had a wonderful time and saw a lot of great things. After a bit of a rocky start in Nogales that little nissan took good care of us. It then accompanied me to BYU and I started married life out with it by my side. I drove it for 6 years then passed it on to Rick when he bought me a pink station wagon for my growing family. Rick drove it for another 8 years till we bequeathed it to my younger brother who drove it for about a year.

It has spent the last year sitting in our driveway. Rick has been pushing me to get rid of it - but I just couldn't. I loved that car, it was my first, and the only car that was ever really MINE. We have been through a lot together, college and dating, marriage and children. It has taken me deep into Mexico and as far north as Yellowstone. It had a lot of little quirks. For most of its life the driver seat wouldn't stay up and you would have to continually put it upright. The back windows didn't close, the vents didn't have covers - both of which made climate control a bit difficult. A few years ago it lost the cover to its drive shaft and the drivers side window fell inside the door.

It sat in my driveway for an entire year, much of which was spent covered in snow - including the interior due to the lack of a window. It was a good car and the time has finally come for me to face the fact that its life is over. I've hung on to it for far too long. Rick had suggested calling the Kars for Kidney people. I agreed, but drug my feet. The car is still useful I thought, there must be someone out there that might want to drive it or at least use some of its parts. So I put it up for sale. I got a few calls - no lookers. Lowered the price still no buyers, so last week I made the call and today the tow truck came to take her away. I'll even admit I was blinking back tears. Rachel and I sat on the front porch and watched as the tow truck driver hooked her up and drug her away. I tried to tell Rachel the story of sentra - but she wasn't too interested. That's to bad because its quite a story.

Later this afernoon I came in and sat down by Taylor. He was playing the computer - usually he gets really into it and is oblivious to everything around him. Well he looked up at me and ask me what was wrong. I admitted that I was a little sad today because my nissan was gone and I really liked that car. He looked at me hard for a moment and then in a very kind and compassionate voice said, "Mom it was very old, you had it for a long long time and now it is someones elses turn." He then went back to playing his game. He was right of course the time had come to say goodbye, I wish I could believe the part about it being someone elses turn- I didn't admit it to Taylor but the fact is that car is as good as squished. No one is going to want it. I didn't send it off to a new owner, I sent it to its death. But Taylor was right - it was old and I did have if for a long time.