Tripping through poppy fields: A Tribute to Tommy

We bade a loyal friend goodbye yesterday. Dearest Tommy who has been with us for the past 2 years. I felt such a deep sadness that not even my 2.55 was able to make up for.

Tommy was our 1st car and our first major investment together. Back when we were just friends, the Boyfriend told me about his dream car and I told him about my dream bag. When we got together, both dreams came true and we always thought this was happily ever after.

Alas, Tommy grew older and got more expensive to maintain his performance. He needed an expensive overhaul to bring him back to his heydays of glory and the Boyfriend was always fretting over finding time to change spare parts, blah blah. Also in our attempt to cruise into the next chapter of our lives, we realise that we had to make more grown-up decisions like saving more, buying less bags and choosing a more economical ride. Plus, with the aged grandparents and ageing parents, a 4-door would be more convenient for everyone.

So we talked it over and took several months but at last we decided that we would have to let Tommy go.

It was painful and heart-wrenching.

It may be just a car to some, but to us Tommy symbolises much more than that. Tommy is a reminder of us getting together, making our dreams come true together, making that bold step to say "I trust you, and I will always walk beside you from here-on" by investing in him together. Tommy was our daily companion, delivering us to the right place in time, accomplice to our compromises on the road. Tommy was a source of comfort on the many nights I had to work late or the times when I was sick and needed to see a doctor.

So this is a tribute to Tommy, our dearest and most faithful friend.

We haven't always treated you the way you deserve. We didn't keep you as clean as we should have or sent you for servicing as timely as we should have. Yet you were always there for us. You never broke down in the middle of nowhere, never got us into an accident. Even when we drove over a nail and your tyre was punctured, you went on like a brave soldier, giving up only after we reached the nearest gas station. You were confidante to our fights, our deepest fears, our secrets. You made us proud to be seen with you cos you were so dashing. (Everyone liked your rims!) We are so sorry that we had to do this. It was so hard for me to walk away from you yesterday and leave you sitting in the lot by yourself while we drove away. Last night at bed-time, we asked each other, "I wonder where Tommy is, I wonder how he is doing." Letting go is so very hard. I wish we didn't have to say goodbye.

But thank you for the valuable lessons you've taught us. You helped us grow up and we will do better with our next one. We will always have the beautiful memories. And no matter what, you will always be our first and always, our dearest Tommy.