Car Tales

The first vehicle I ever remember being in is a Jeep. My dad drove this rugged version and it always felt like I was flying in it. As a teenager, I got my first driving lesson from my dad as well and I believe he almost swore at me for the first time ever! Even though I cannot drive, I have always wanted a Jeep Grand Cherokee. It is like homage to the first vehicle I remember my dad driving.

In spite of massive doubts, I have faith that I will drive one day…my dad’s little girl in a big car to protect her!

For some reason, today, I want to write about my friends and my time with them in their cars. It is like a page out of Seinfeld’s new show although I have only heard about it and not seen it yet.

Since I cannot drive, I get driven around a lot because I have very considerate friends.

I will start with my sessions with G in his car. I have often felt like I am more like one of the boys than one of the girls. With G, I have this terrific freedom of expression and sometimes, it is almost terrible! It is unbelievable that he hasn’t pushed me out of his car yet. I offend him a lot, and why not?! We have had crazy conversations about feminism, sisterhood and women. It must be tough on him, and yet he encourages me to be candid even when it means he is at the receiving end of all my intense emotional outbursts. I have to also honestly admit that he perhaps has been at the receiving end of a couple of punches as well. It was when he casually remarked that I need to get a job so Craigley has a decent pair of boots to wear during the cold Canadian winters! Well, Craigley has a tendency to wear sandals in winter and G decided to use that as some sort of motivation for me to get out there and get a job!

On second thoughts, this man has offended me quite a bit as well and on some level, we are both even!

Then there is Y and her car. She has an OCD that does not allow anyone to enter her home. For her friends, her car is as close to home as we can get. Usually, we are never alone in her car. We have our boys with us in the backseat and a not so secret stash of junk food in the car trunk! My best memories in her car are those of taking the boys berry picking. Those involved day trips to just outside of Toronto where the boys discovered that raspberries come in many different colours! Her car is like a home and a classroom – we have literally done “lunch and learn” sessions in there.

Since Y’s oldest, Hans’ best friend is at The CW, we don’t spend as much time in her car anymore. Y has also been busy taking care of her parents. I actually miss her!

That brings me to P who is the safest driver I know. She is also a purposeful driver. Trips with her include visits to the Ontario Science Centre, picnics and grocery shopping. Some parents and even teachers have mistaken her for Y a few times. All of them who cannot tell them apart just need to go on just one drive with each of them, and they will never ever be mistaken again! P follows all rules and Y simply lets loose.

P’s oldest is off to Middle School and she will have 2 kids in 2 schools in September. She will get busy with 2 drop offs and 2 pickups…this post is getting a little sad right now!

On that note, there is C and her car which recently quit on her. I will miss her car. Out of my 4 friends, C is the most concerned about me on any given day. Even when her car was dying on her, I felt the most comfortable in it. I think it is because C is incredibly non-judgemental about me. In her car, I feel free to cry and let it all out. The 2 of us are almost the same age and we were at the same university at around the same time, and never crossed paths till we met as parents at our boys’ school. I am glad we eventually ran into each other. She is currently contemplating her next car.

C truly believes she will win the lottery one day and when she does, I am getting a new kitchen and driving lessons! How sweet is that?! But I hope she wins the lottery so she can buy her dream car without a second thought!

Before I wrap up this crazy and somewhat absurd car post, an honourary mention goes to Lady A. It is not like she is not my friend, but I always think of her first as my mentor and I have so much respect for her. I could totally insult all my friends, but never Lady A! And with her, I have been in several cars. Most recently, she picked me up in her Jeep and it was nostalgic for me. And every time I am in that car of hers, I feel like I am a little girl again and flying down the street.

Honestly, the best times I have spent with my friends have been in their cars. I am incredibly thankful for their kind concerns for me. I also know that all of them would like to see me drive one day. I want them to know that I want that for myself too.

This has been a wonderful drive down memory lane!