In Memoriam

While looking through some old scrapbooks, I came across an "obituary" I wrote in 2002, after my two teenage daughters had pretty much destroyed my 1991 Dodge Dynasty, a car we had named Trishie. Great memories. 

Well, folks, we knew her days were numbered. We loved her even though many made fun of her--her multi-colored body (blue and burgundy and gold), her taped down airbag stuffed unceremoniously back into the steering column and secured with red duct tape, her passenger  side mirror barely hanging on, also secured with red duct tape. We got a lot of mileage out of the old gal, and laughed at the band stickers on the back window (and wondered how in the world did Becky ever see out of that window!). And yes, we know the CD player was well worth more than the car itself.

Trishie the Hoopdie has been through a lot (two teenage girls); she does not have a body panel on her that is not dented or scratched, except possibly the trunk. Her tires are bald, the doors don't shut all the way (free air conditioning), and the windshield wipers only work if you turn the knob just right. To unlock the door you have to click the unlock button seven times (six won't do it). And the airbag light is on constantly, since it was deployed a year ago and just rudely stuffed back into the steering well. She has been driven without oil, without radiator fluid, on flat tires, and with fumes for gas. Yet she very seldom complained. She has been through major surgery too many times to count: at least three transmissions, countless tires, and possibly a million quarts of oil.

On Thursday, January 17, 2002, at approximately 3:40 pm, Trishie passed away. She got her owner all the way from Columbia, SC, to the intersection of US 378 and SC 261; smoking from the front and rear, leaking oil for half a mile, she coughed, threw a rod, and breathed her last. We towed her gently to a mechanic, but he could not revive her; he is only human, you know. So, we will be laying her to rest in a local junkyard. Minus that rear windshield: Becky is keeping that as a souvenir and keepsake

Trishie is survived by her two mommies, Becky and Mandy, her grandparents, Alex and Barbara, and numerous friends and ride-moochers. She will be missed by all. A memorial service will be held at the Ritchey home on Monday, January 21st. The family asks you do not send flowers; a simple donation to Becky's "I need a new car now!" fund will suffice.

How will all Becky's friends get around now? And how will she survive without her Trishie?

Very sad indeed