Giving Thanks, Thanksgiving, Cars

My 26 days of Thanksgiving list continues:

16. I am thankful to have a reliable car.

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This is another one of those things that seems insincere to be thankful for. Except for a period of three months about 11 years ago, I have had a car of my own since I was 18 years old. My first car was a Ford Falcon station wagon, white with red interior, a gift from my dad when I graduated from high school. I think he paid $200 for it. I loved that car and it ran well through four years of college. I've owned a Gremlin, a Toyota Corolla, a Fort Escort (another gift from an elderly relative who could no longer drive) and now a 1998 Ford Taurus station wagon which we bought at an auction. This one is red like my first car, but on the outside rather than on the inside and was bought new in early 1999 so I've had it for 10 years.

My older son took my advice and also bought a car that was affordable before he started college-- a 1998 used Honda Accord. Those cars last for many years. His drives and feels like a brand new car.

Some people have love affairs with their cars. For me, it's mainly to get me from A to B, air conditioning (since we live in Florida), a good radio (mine even has an audiocassette player) :), power steering and enough room to hold my family. I love the candy apple red which makes me happy just to look at it in the sunlight. Most of my driving is within a 5-mile radius of our home so it's not so bad with the gas mileage.

I visit the post office near our house at least 2x a week to ship eBay sale items. There is a bus stop on both side of the street near the P.O. and I regularly see people walking from all over to catch the bus and get off as well, then walking to a store or home. When it's raining it's pretty miserable to have to wait and then walk to wherever you would need to go. Some of them even have small children with them in strollers or just carrying them. You have to do what you have to do.

Having a car has almost become a "right" these days and many people live beyond their means in their choice of a car. I am thankful to have the one we own. Especially since it has no car payments and lots of memories. It helps to cultivatte a heart of gratitude by also being thankful in the small things.