The end of an era...

Dear Red Sled (aka "the Kari Kay car"),

I'm sorry about how tonight went.  I probably should have said good-bye or at least ACTED like I was sad to see you go.  I stripped you of your plates, removed everything personal and drove off with your replacement like it was nothing.   Truth is...it's been over for awhile now.

The last six years have been full of memories...some of them good and some of them bad.  We have been through a lot and gone a lot of places together.  Unfortunately, if I'm completely honest with myself I was unhappy from the day that I met you.  Granted, when I heard those Mary Kay Directors ask "Could you get excited about a free car?" the answer was an astounding "YES!"  I wanted you and I wanted you bad.  I worked SO HARD to earn you and couldn't wait to see you for the first time.  But truthfully, it was a disappointment and a step down from my previous car.  You were so plain...no sunroof, no tinted windows, no V6 engine, no bells and whistles.  Yes, you had those Mary Kay decals (that I had to stick on), but that was about it.  I tried to love you as my own and when the lease ran out, I struggled with what to do.  I almost walked away then, but with no better options, I stayed.  Over the years I've struggled with what to do and gone back and forth wondering if we could make it work.  And every time, I decided to hang on.  Until today.

I'm sorry that I didn't take better care of you.  I'm sorry that when that front windshield trim came loose I just tore it off and never replaced it.  I'm sorry when we hit that raccoon that I let that piece drag for awhile before using duct tape to bring it up off the ground.  I'm sorry that I wore a hole in the floor from my high heels.  I'm sorry that I didn't keep you clean and that I only got you detailed one time.  And really, that was only so I could get the best price for you.  I'm sorry that I let Hailee eat and drink and trash the backseat.  And I'm sorry that you had to hear her say "Mommy, let's get rid of this garbage can!"  

But you know what, it's not just my fault.  Sure, I could have given you more love, but really?  What did you expect me to do with all of that random ticking noise that I know you did just to drive me crazy!  Tick tick.  Tick tick tick.  I never knew when you were going to do it or what caused it, but it seems like you would choose those moments when one more thing was going to push me over the edge and then...tick....tick tick tick tick tick.  I tried to ignore you.  I even tried to make a fun little game out of it...hoping it would stop being fun for you.  "Hailee...our pet squirrel is making that noise again!"  It didn't work.

And then there was the driver side window.  I think you tried to get someone to steal you.  That's the only reason I can think that the key lock would be pushed INTO the door.  And every time I put the window down, the CLUNK CLUNK was a painful reminder of the fact that you didn't want to be with me anymore.

I hope you understand that it was time.  Time to let go.  I need more....more room...more power...more ability to go places that I want to go.  I hope you understand and I hope you find someone who will love you the way you deserve to be loved.

All the best,
Kari

(PS...for those of you who might be shopping for a 2004 Red Grand Am (come on, who isn't), don't buy it from Dennis Dillon.  Just sayin'.)