Good Bye Hermes (Feb 2021 - May 2024)

I don’t think I’ve ever loved an inanimate object so much in my life. 

I remember when I first found you. It was late January/ early February; we were having a real snowstorm. I was watching the piles of snow fall on my car from my bedroom window. Thinking about how that car didn’t have air conditioning and in a few months I would be hot and miserable. On a whim I searched orange manual used cars and there you were. Perfect. 

I didn’t need a car. I had a car. But you weren’t just a car you were like a little extension of my personality. When I finally got you home a few weeks later I couldn’t help but show you off. I drove to everyone's house near me. I made every single person look at you! I took pictures with you. And it might be a little bit embarrassing to say it but… when I didn’t have somewhere to go I napped in you. 

I cried when you got your first few dents and scratches. With how much driving and in town parallel parking I do it’s inevitable; but also always devastating. I’ve always taken care of my cars but you got a bath monthly at minimum. Sometimes in the nicer weather closer to weekly. And I avoiding eating in you as much as possible.

You drove me through good times and bad times. I always pointed you out to people, and I talked about you constantly. We spent almost half a decade together, at least 75k miles, and there should have been a lot more. Unfortunately it all came crashing down too soon and too literally. 

Having a first of anything can be overwhelming, but a first car accident is full of emotion. You protected me, I walked away with nothing but a burn on my leg. No one was hurt because you were perfect. 

Hermes, thank you for all the smiles. The tons of photos I have of you, around you, and in you. The joy you brought to my face and to others. The amount of strangers who came up to me just to say you were “cute.” The miles logged in our journey together. The space to express myself and to cry. And the feeling that maybe I did deserve nicer things. 

You were nothing but good to me. Even in the end you thought about me. I don’t know how you did it; but you managed to give me a pay out almost as much as I originally paid for you. 

I can never replace you. I don’t know if I’ll ever connect with a car the same way again. I wasn’t ready to let you go. So I got the closest I could find; it feels like I’m hanging out with your cousin now. I don’t love him the same, but at the very least he reminds me of you. 

I miss you. Good bye Hermes.