CARS : REMINISCENCES for May 3, 2006

By Lori Goldschmidt

Dear Mike,

What a fine specimen you were! The evenness of your lines, your height, length and width, so well proportioned, your lovely blue color and impressive boxiness. It was such a pleasure to own you for all those years in the 60’s. Your previous owner had taken such good care of you that, when we acquired you, you were like new. Since we were young and agile, climbing up into your front seat was easy. For guests we provided a little stool.

It was your spaciousness and adaptability that caused us to fall in love with you at first sight. Seven or eight people and large amounts of groceries or baggage or skiis or even our bicycles could be accommodated in your huge interior. Mini-van was a misnomer; we considered you a maxi van. Your builders, the VW’s, called you a Microbus. That’s why we named you Mike.

Ah, those many trips we took in you! Cape Cod, Vermont, New Hampshire, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Washington, DC, the Amish country of Pennsylvania, Quebec, Toronto, Expo in Montreal, and eventually, trips to look at colleges, and then to visit Wendy at Boston U. As an added benefit, you needed very infrequent feeding, i.e. gas. Your mileage was impressive.

As frugal travelers we quite often turned you into a camper. We designed and created lovely curtains, and generally made you into an attractive bedroom. Ah, Mike, those were wonderful years. You maintained your good traits for a long time, and, at age ten, you still looked and acted like a five year old. But we couldn’t hold back time forever. Eventually you did begin to show your age. Little cracks and scratches and dents were evident. The little rubber mats were worn, and in winter it was drafty riding in the front seats. It took us a very long time to decide to give you up. How does one simply discard a family member?

Of all the adventures you provided us with, the one that stands out was “the turnover”. Karl, Wendy, and Wendy’s boyfriend Scott, all set out from home at mileage 99,990. Cameras ready, we drove the 10 miles on rural roads, ready for the great moment. At 99999 Scott and Wendy stepped out of you and stood on their heads in front of you. The photo was taken, with the caption: TURNED OVER. It was a proud moment for everyone of us. Thank you , Mike, for being a grand member of our family for so long. Love, Mom