My First Car
You would think that any teenager within driving age would be happy to have a car - any car. That is not the case with this generation. Let's examine the reasoning or a car. First of all a car is a privilege, not a right. You must learn to drive on the road with the big dogs and get yourself from place to place directional wise. Secondly, most people around working age like to get a job and start experiencing the rat race and having their own monies. It helps to have a car to get you from place to place. It is less stress for your parents and it also helps if you have siblings to shuffle around. Thirdly, if there are school activities, i.e. football, soccer, student council, etc. it eases making arrangements with parents or others. Now with all of this in mind you would think that any right minded teenager would say"hey, as long as it drives, I'm good". No, definitely not. My first car was a Pontiac Sunfire - 1979? It was green with rust spots and a cracked windshield but the interior was leather and in great shape. It took me $5 to fill it up and I could go at least two weeks on that tank. It got me to cheerleading practice, basketball games, my best friend's house, concerts, dances, etc. Every time I needed it to crank, it did. Yeah people made comments about how it looked. SO what. Those same people commenting were the same people walking, taking the bus, getting dropped off by their parents or eventually asking me for a ride. SO who was in better shape? Teenagers can be cruel and some just don't have clue yet. My baby turned 15 last Monday and by Saturday his dad made sure he had a car just like my other 2 teenagers. I felt that was special. He got a Chevy Corsica. I would have died for a Corsica when I was growing up. Upon first mentioning of getting him a car, he had all kinds of ideas for one including a Dodge Magnum. He was delirious at the time. We just missed getting him a Mustang but maybe that was not the car for him. Is he happy he has a car? Yeah, now. All of his friends definitely do not have one and probably won't for a couple of years. Is he working to fix it up? Definitely, he is a teenager with style. With several nieces and nephews coming of age, I have an understanding of not being appreciative. When reality hits, there is nothing left but gratitude.
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