These words are NOT what anyone wants to hear when they pick up the phone. In early December of 2002, those were the first words out of my Dad's mouth when I answered the phone. I assured him that I was sitting (after a split second of terrible thoughts). He then said, "Your mother and I have gotten together and bought you and Catherine a car. It's a 2002 Saturn with a manual transmission. When can you come to Orlando?". I was surprised and overwhelmed and so very grateful, as my 10 year old Honda Accord had become unreliable. A few days later I drove to Orlando, left my Honda and picked up the Saturn. It has been a great car for the past 12 and 1/2 years. When we bought my new vehicle recently, Wayne and I made the decision to donate the Saturn to Goodwill. They came and picked it up today.
I'm excited to have a new vehicle to drive - for the first time ever I sit up high enough to see what's going on around me (all of my previous cars have been low to the ground) and it has all kinds of fun extras. It is, however, the end of an era. Every car I have owned since I got my license at age 16 has been a manual transmission. Since I learned to drive the first one (which was quite an adventure), I have been a fan; I truly enjoy the process of the clutch and being in control of when it's time to change gears. I know I will get used to the automatic - that's not the point. I will miss driving a stick, which is a vanishing skill. I'm also waiting for the first time I have to stop quickly and stomp on the brake with both feet, looking for the clutch!
I said my good-byes to the Saturn and my hellos to the Mazda (named Ruby) and I am now excited to move forward. Happy Driving!
