RIP Heidi the Honda

Dear Heidi,

I am sorry I had to give you up because I know we had so many wonderful memories (well some, not so great). I remember when mom and dad first bought you when I was a wee little one in elementary school. After dad drove you home Brett and I sat in the car because we liked the new car smell.

Unfortunately my memory of you jumps to high school, which is when I started driving you. I was so excited the first time I was able to drive you ALL BY MYSELF! I felt so grown-up and it was so thrilling. I was driving to school... in a car... ALONE! You served me well in high school: football games, journalism late nights, hanging out with friends, etc...

Then, together, we moved to Washington State University. And, although, I shared you with Brett, we still had a special bond that could not be broken. The trips from Pullman to home and vise versa were at times scary, but you did your job-- you got us safely to and from where we needed to be. Furthermore, Brett and I became even closer with these trips. At times (like during the summer/fall) it was an easy trip with singing and laughter. During the winter we still laughed, but Brett had to manually clean off the windshield because the windshield fluid was frozen solid! Other times we had to take care of you by getting out to put on chains. Luckily, one time I was able to shield, both, you and Brett from the semi-truck who was racing down the mountain and covered me with the slush instead.

The last couple years have been unforgettable. You and I. Reunited. Over at WSU. Thick and thin. Hot and cold weather. Snow, ice, hail, heat. Last winter as I put the key into the ignition, I would pray to God that you would start. I felt so bad for you sitting out in below zero weather, but you made it. And a year ago, you made the last trek over the mountains with all of my belongings. It was the most scared I had ever been driving over the mountains. It took us over 9 hours to get home. The entire trip had snow/ice on the ground and it was pitch dark driving over the mountain with some gusty winds. You and I had entertaining conversations, you mostly listened and I prayed to God I would get home. My hands were tightly wrapped around the wheel, my knuckles were white by the time I arrived home. Semi-trucks were racing past us, gliding us over the ice (or so it felt like that) or my eyes playing tricks, trying to find where the end of the road ended and the ditch started due to the snow.

You, Heidi, did your duty. You cared for a family at first, then to me, then to Brett/I, and back to me once again. Although there were some troubling times, I share a lot of memories. Some of them bad, but most of the time they are fun to look back upon and laugh. There were quite a few milestones with you. Thank you Heidi, you definitely will not be forgotten.

Love,
Jen