The Search for a Car

Their minivan had served them well over the years, taking them on many wonderful and exciting adventures. It had taken them across highways and interstates, down many country roads, from state to state, to many beautiful places.

But Judy and John had decided that the time to search for a new vehicle had finally come. There were so many different cars to choose from.  Their new vehicle would surely have to be spacious, with room for all of their belongings. They had bags and they brought gifts - and John wanted to take his bicycle on all their trips. And what about the kids!

But John was not a man to make a hasty decision. There were just so many factors to consider. Should it be an SUV or a sedan? Surely John's bicycle would never fit into a sedan. Should they get another minivan? What about the color? Battleship gray perhaps? After all, John had been a Navy man.

And so John thought. He thought day and he thought night. He thought when he was outside and while driving home. He thought on business trips and even while riding his bicycle. He thought at work and he thought at home.

And so it was now March! Again, John promised Judy that THIS WEEKEND he would definitely decide. But would he really do it? Had he finally decided? Would he sign on the line? Judy was skeptical - John had promised so many times before.

It seemed that John had become obsessed with the idea of purchasing a new vehicle and that the journey had become more important than the destination. John had taken to listening to car commercials on the Internet and at times could even be heard singing along to the catchy jingles. Driving by car dealerships had become a hobby.

On one of their trips to a dealership it seemed that John had just about made up his mind on a vehicle, asking Judy to sit in the driver's seat to see what she thought. Since Judy is a rather tiny lady and could barely see the road in front of her, she commented that the grill was a "tad bit high". Immediately, she knew she had erred. She quickly tried to retract her comment - but it was too late! As they say, "you can't unring the bell!" Judy tried to reason with John, telling him that this was their chance to purchase a smaller car and that if he were going to buy another big car, "he might as well buy another van". This was Judy's second mistake, as John quickly responded, "maybe we SHOULD buy another van."

Judy was stunned, speechless. What had she done? It had almost been a done deal. They were back to square one. Judy attempted to relieve her stress with yoga.

However, John had promised Judy that he would decide very soon and Judy was losing her patience. The more John thought, the more frustrated he became. At one point, John had almost decided on a vehicle, but fate would rear its ugly transmission and there was a most unexpected RECALL!

All that planning - all those statistics that Judy had compiled - all those suggestions which their son, Ricky, had made. There had been so many trips to so many dealerships and John and Judy had endured so many appointments with a long line of silver-tongued salesmen. There had even been a time when Judy and Ricky thought that John had finally made a decision. But it was a false alarm.

Summer had turned into fall and the long, hard winter would soon be at its end. Spring was quickly approaching and John still could not decide on a car. Judy was anxious to plan road trips. She threatened to grab the checkbook and make the deal. Would she ever return to the mountains to visit her cousin - and enjoy some home grown organic tomatoes?

The laughter which had once filled John and Judy's home had turned into frustration. Always known as the happy couple, John and Judy were now at each others throats. Things were bad, the stress was more than either of them could handle.

And then, out of the blue, just as a rainbow stretches across the sky after a summer shower, just like a silver lining glimmers around a dark cloud, just as the darkness gives way to the dawn, it ended.

JOHN BOUGHT A HONDA!

No one will ever know what happened. How had John decided? Was it the result of scientific research? Was it some cunning, slick-talking car salesman? Was it Judy's tears? Was it one of those catchy commercial jingles? Or was John simply exhausted!

No matter. The decision had been made and the vehicle had finally been purchased.

Everyone rejoiced! The Honda dealer was thrilled! Judy, who had suffered immeasurable anguish over the past several months could feel the stress finally leaving her body. The kids were ecstatic!

AND JOHN, AS YOU CAN SEE, JOHN IS A VERY HAPPY CAMPER!