Dear 2005 Hyundai Elantra, Thank you, and goodbye. You ran well, took me through almost 150,000 miles worth of ups, downs, cross country drives with nothing but Baxter, Johnny Cash CD’s and a head full of nostalgia and grief. You gave me 34mpg until the very end. You carried my dog, my husband, my niece and grand-niece. Sometimes you smelled like moldy lettuce, and I am truly sorry for that. I wish you had been sparkly clean for your final sendoff. And now you sit in the totaled car graveyard, bits of deer fur tucked into your headlight, pieces of whitetail on your windshield. I hope some of you lives on, as spare pieces for other Elantras. Tomorrow I will come pick you clean: the satellite radio I had installed from Best Buy, the EZ Pass transponder, the sun shades for Baxie and the special mud mats to protect your floors. I know you would want me to move on, but I am trying not to fall in love with this Jeep Liberty SUV from the rental agency. You were always so dependable and safe, economic and practical. I promise not to be swayed by the high-riding, 4 wheel-drive and all the bells and whistles of this off-roading power horse.
But knowing you would want what’s best for me, tomorrow I will take the claim check (thank you for holding so much value) and go find your replacement. I will try not to get something so appealing as to erase the memories of you. You will always be the bit of silver before the golden age of car ownership. May you rest in peace(es). Love, Marla
