Truck Chick to MiniVan Mom :|

Dear Parents,

There are not many material possessions that my grip is white-knuckle tight. I like stylish, hip clothes just like the next girly, I have enjoyed 2 summers in the comfort of a trailer while wildernessing , I even like new computer gadgets. Coveting lavish homes or salivating over a girlfriend’s “new rock” — I never engage. I do not seem to struggle much on this front. Not sure if that is a result of growing up in the 80’s / 90’s … or if it just doesn’t happen to be “my thing”. That was until gas spiked ~ OUCH!

Then I saw the white knuckles.

“You want me to drive a WHAT?”

… and so the snob in me emerged. Like a tiny little creep lurking in the dark corner of my self-image, she moved out of the darkest shadows, just enough to become the Elephant in the room every time my husband and I had a conversation about money. Oh you better believe I tried to cover her up! I shoved her around within the confines of my mind, I sternly told her to get back into the closet never to return to view. Within those private recesses, deep in our hearts that we all have in which no one is ever allowed to enter, I had a good long look at her and then I slammed the door to that closet.

After stuffing that snob into a box, shoving her into a closet, locking the door and then emerging from those “private recesses” I busied myself. I changed out all the lights to the energy saving bulbs, unplugged all appliances using “phantom energy”(even the alarm clock–I began using my cell phone alarm instead…), I even started clipping coupons! I was frantic to cut back in every possible way, I even lowered our heat by 4 degrees at night!

With each visit to the “saving-money-honey” conversation, THERE SHE WAS!

“Didn’t I tell you to disappear?”, I would bark at her.

Each time my husband and I discussed oil reaching record numbers, she became an Elephant in the room. “But…I changed the bulbs… But I put an extra blankets on the beds… But I only had one coffee this week…” Why couldn’t she just have stayed where I put her??

It was a truth I was appalled to have to admit. I was a snob when it came to my truck–and my knuckles were white; not wanting to let go. So I had to face her, that little snob. Yes, I like my truck. I enjoy being a “Truck Chick” with a sweet ride. I like my lift kit, the tinted windows, the step-side style and the sea-blue paint job. I like the monster tires and side pipes. My truck had become my BMW.

As is the custom in this life, I had to face reality…life changes. It moves and we move on. This week I will be saying “bye-bye, baby” to my truck– and to a phase of my life. Next week, I will become a Mini-Van Mom. The only thing I dislike more than that little snob is the fact that I said I would never drive a minivan. Now I’ll eat those words in a pie called humble and it won’t be sweet, guaranteed.

But I thank the Lord everyday for his blessings he bestows… for another day to know Him better, another day with my family… and yes, a vehicle to drive because it is better than not having one at all

Do you have a similar story? I’d love to hear about it…

Best to you,

Michele Shepherd

Posted by: parent2parent | 04-04-2008 | 12:04 AM
Posted in: Parent 2 Parent Column | Comments (1)