Sunday, March 02, 2008

So long Sammi

I miss Sammi. I cried my eyes out when I had to say goodbye and abandon her. I can't believe she's gone. I miss her! I need to make a list of my memories with her- maybe that will help.

Driving her for the first time- on the highway outside of West Richland.

Driving her to work at the 300 area for the last 2 weeks I worked there.

Only listening to church music for the first 6 months I drove her because she used to be a mission car and I didn't want to disturb any sense of equilibrium.

Sammi came into my life during a time when I didn't have a lot to be happy about.

Packing all of my belongings and driving off to Utah for my last semester at BYU.

Driving down University Parkway in Orem headed towards Provo at night and seeing the Provo temple come into view as a beacon on a hill.

Going back and forth to Lone Peak for my first semester teaching.

Going back and forth to Riverton for my first real career.

Driving 4 wonderful ladies in my ward to the Manti pagent

Parking Sammi at Salt Lake International while I left on my first cross-country interview trip to Iowa City. I felt very "grown-up"

Looking for my car in the parking lot by the WILK for the umpteenth time after forgetting where I parked.

Locking my keys in the trunk on my last day of work at Riverton

Packing everything I owned and driving off to Salt Lake to start career number 2.

Hanging my institute parking pass on the rear view mirror and having a sense of security knowing that there are still good people outside of Utah County.

Driving to Orem to see Dr. Paulson on October 11, 2006- taking one Tylenol followed by throwing one out the window, etc. until I got to Orem. Dr. Paulson, in his gentle way, convinced me to go to the ER.

Repeating the above scenario a month later on my way to see Debra- it was Friday morning and I was supposed to be in the lab slicing rat brains, but instead I was on my way to ending up admitted into UVRMC.

Sammi had an arm rest with storage space that came in useful for storing pills. I sat in the front seat with a frozen water bottle when I took them in December.

Gingerly driving the long way to WA after being banished from the state of Utah. Sammi was my sense of security. The only element of my world that was going to remain constant.

Driving to the temple in the middle of the night trying again to understand.

Driving to my first day of work in my 3rd career.

Changing her front light bulb and the coolant while wearing a skirt in the VP parking lot.

Seeing Sammi as the only car left in the parking lot when being "escorted" out of the school at 1:00 am

Changing her license plates to the Utah skier plates while feeling like I was betraying her.

Weeping in the driver's seat after quitting piano lessons and music for the rest of my life.

I never should have gotten in the car Feb 10. Brother Packard and the Bishop tell me that I wasn't in my right frame of mind. So when I couldn't stop in time on 60th S and 9E...Sammi, I am so sorry!!!! I let you down. You were there for me and I was irresponsible and now you are being sold for parts. I miss you.