No, wait,change that. We bought a new van!!! We pick it up today, and it's brand new!!! And it's red!!! And as uncool as a van may be, we got this one for a great price, and I am totally pumped about it!!!
Not every member of the family feels the same way.
Devin was really helpful this time around in the process of shopping for a new car. He is really into cars, like every newly permitted 16 year old. But he is also way into the nuts and bolts of cars as well, partly due to hanging with my dad, and partly due to the show " Top Gear." When we first started the process of looking, I thought I wanted an SUV. I also thought I wanted bells, whistles, leather heated seats, and integrated communication systems. I had a long list, of wants.
Devin, in his very much appreciated desire to help out, dutifully asked the right question of me, as the purchaser, "What do you want?" I gave him that long list of wants, and he found the cars, along with the feature packages that had the greatest value, and you know, it's all about the package.
I'm sure you, dear reader, can see where this is going. Yep, we are full speed ahead, crash is imminent.
Fast forward to actual shopping. Try fitting a family of four, with three members close to or exceeding 6 feet tall, into a supposed large SUV. (read that Ford Explorer...huge disappointment) It doesn't work. And the third row seat? Ummm, no. I could not envision myself trying to CRAWL out of that, ever, let alone on, say, a wine tour? Suddenly it was looking like an extra large SUV. Suddenly the car that would fit us would cost 2/3 the cost of my farmhouse. Suddenly $10,000 difference turned to $20,000 difference.
Suddenly, my rational adult mind kicked in.
Need trumped want, and it was back to a van.
Tim said he saw it coming all along.
I was in denial.
And Devin, after having done so much leg work, felt dismissed.
But you know, I think the purchase ended up being a great life lesson all around.
Tim got some confirmation of his innate wisdom, once again. And if he were an "I told ya so" kinda guy, boy did he gain some leverage!
Devin saw, in action, the fact that the best laid plans stand to be changed in time, and circumstance, and practicality.
And as much as I love cars, and let me tell you, growing up my father's daughter, I DO love cars, I learned, or perhaps was reminded again, that I am not my car.
Always, I will want a reliable vehicle, that will do the job, and at this point in life in particular, the job my vehicle has is a job of hauling. A van may not be flashy, but it will get me to work, and bring me home again. It will bring home piles of groceries to keep my children growing taller and taller. It will carry all 4 of us, and our dog, to visit our families an hour an a half south. It will take the dog to the kennel, and then the 4 of us on to our traveling adventures, wherever they may end up being.
We will own this van for 8 - 10 years. It will see colleges. It will see first, maybe second, maybe even third apartments, or even first homes. Pretty hard to imagine where life might be in 10 years, but no matter what I know a van will serve us in the ways we will need it to.
It seems that sometimes, you do need to make a new plan, Stan.
