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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: 24 Hours (01/27/11)
Yesterday my five-year-old Ford Taurus gave up its engine on the road to Sonora. Just as we passed Sierra Motors in Jamestown, Joel remarked as how he’d heard that was a great place to buy a car. I relaxed into idle conversation and commented on how well our Taurus was running now. The alarming smell of engine oil that sent us to the auto repair shop last week seemed to be gone. The moment I said that, the oil pressure light came on, something clunked under my feet and the car expired by the side of the road half a mile past the dealership.

We had it towed to AutoTech where it received last rites. A couple of quick calls on a dying cell phone located a friend in the checkout counter at Safeway who came and collected us and all the worldly goods that had collected in the crevices of my young car. I was surprised to find I owned so many flashlights and that they’d all found a home in the car.

We shed no tears for the untimely death of my Taurus. It’s just a car. Still, the thought of abandoning her in a parking lot, a perfect body with an engine that just stopped turning makes me sad. Soon, a wrecker will come for her and dump her where vultures will rip parts from her body. Maybe it would be more comforting to think of her as an organ donor, giving new life to other cars with failing parts.

She was only five years old! Something gave out inside her engine. It’s rare the mechanic said, but it happens. It’s just bad luck.

Last night, we went to Sierra Motors and started the paperwork on a 2011 Buick Regal; white, like my little Taurus, but with upgrades -- cashmere colored leather seats, a sun roof and a navigation system. We get to take her home next week.

This morning I woke up and wondered what was down the road for me today. I offered a prayer of thanks for the way God orders things in the space of 24 hours.
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This article has been read 741 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Brenda Rice
02/03/11
You made your car troubles sound interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Jean Beier
02/04/11
Enjoyed your story. It flowed well. Recently my 20 year old Ford Escort just took a sudden death. In less than 24 hours it was replaced with a 10 year old Ford Taurus. It is amazing how God steps and supplies our needs, just when we need them. Keep writing.
Jean Beier
02/04/11
Well done. Your story flowed nicely. Keep writing.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
02/05/11
I like your POV. It's interesting to think how it could relate to our life. If you had enhanced that a bit, many people could likely relate to it. Sometimes our bodies may seem perfect on the outside, but if our inside is broken, then we are like your poor car.
Mildred Sheldon
02/05/11
I truly enjoyed this. My daughters Ford Taurus died in the middle of I-20. I can relate and I loved how you used your car to tell an interesting story.
diana kay
02/06/11
what a lovely piece of writing. the affection for the car came over with some lovely turns of phrases and you tied in the Christian theme too, short and sweet :-)