Isn't she pretty? Home again for ANOTHER day with sick kids, I found myself on Yahoo just screwing around and wouldn't you know it, she was ranked #1 on some Custom Autos list. But OF COURSE! Classy AND tough, fast, rare, a great symbol of open road rebellion, THAT'S my Mustang!
You know, I have been thinking a lot about my car these days, anyways, as I spend a seemingly inordinate amount of time in it. Where I live it is 10 minutes to ANYWHERE, 20 to SOMEWHERE, and and HOUR to a small city. You get used to driving, a lot, and I have come to love it in so many ways. It has certainly become my therapy.

In my car, I can be ALONE. Now this can happen in a number of ways. Sometimes I literally AM alone. I resisted getting a cell phone for a long time for that exact reason, wanting to be, at times, UNREACHABLE. I guess I am the type of person that just needs alone time, and my car has always been a place to get that. There is nothing more peaceful for me than driving down a winding road, preferably on a warm fall day, a panorama of autumnal hues, the AC on AND the windows open (Impractical Cheryl - Air Conditioning the WORLD again, as my dad would chide ) and, naturally, fitting tunes on the radio. That is the way I relax, that is the way I return to the rat race that is my life with a somewhat clearer head, that is my therapy. It is a good therapy too, practical, as I can drive for a bit and run errands, drive for a bit and get the groceries, drop off prescriptions...Purposeful and peaceful, who could ask for more?

I feel fortunate, even, to have kids that are GOOD in the car. They have obviously inherited their mom, and grandpa's, car loving gene as we have FEW toys in the car, snacks only on long trips, and, at my insistence, no integrated DVD system. We don't even listen to many kids CD's in the car. I can be "alone" in my car, even with my kids there, as I tell them "Let mommy concentrate, she needs to drive." With that, little eyes look at the passing scenery, little ears take in the classic rock tunes, and, as adorable as can be, little voices start to sing..."Keep on rockin' me baby..."

And so, with all that my car does for me, don't I deserve a good one? Now mind you, I have a wonderfully "tripped out" MOM VAN, with automatic doors, hatchback, the works. And I DO love it. Vans are a fun, smooth ride, with SUCH versatility. I probably will own one for a long, long time. BUT, since my car provides me SO much, don't I deserve a play car? Since I call it my therapy, and yet don't GO to a therapist OR take any antidepressants and such, couldn't I use said cash for a FUN car? Could I claim it on my insurance - or at least use pretax dollars? Come on! It IS a thought...we do need some change in the health care system in this country. Well, I am READY, and WILLING to do my part!
-Cheryl