goodbye Corolla.....

I didn't get a chance to say goodbye. Ah sweet Corolla, you faired well for us. In less than five years, this is our second vehicle that has been written off.
In May 2006,  Craig was driving our Honda Civic locally, running errands. While stopped at a red light, a truck plowed into our Civic's rear bumper at a speed of 60 kms/hr. The driver of the truck was yapping on his cell phone and hadn't noticed that traffic had stopped. He destroyed our car and the two vehicles that were stopped ahead of Craig. The trunk of our car was literally in the back seat. I can't tell you how thankful I am that Craig left Molly at home that day. I can't praise Honda enough. Craig walked away from that accident without a single scratch while the passengers of the vehicles ahead of ours, were taken away in ambulances.
Being a one car family, we had to get a replacement car, and fast. So, we went for the ultra sexy, super slick ride: the 2003 Toyota Corolla. It was well priced, and had amazing fuel efficiency: Hot stuff!
About a month ago, while I was commuting, I was rear-ended in the tunnel (and no, that isn't a dirty euphemism).  A young driver in her parent's mini-van slammed into the back of our super sexy Corolla. Aside from the shockingly creative expletive combos flying out of my mouth at the moment of impact, it wasn't a bad scene. Her minivan and ego took the brunt of the damage (Here's your keys back Mom and Dad!). That's why I was really surprised to find out that what was initially estimated as a $2000 repair job turned into a write off for our car. ICBC called and gave us a very fair price for our car's "remains". They had her towed away from the mechanic before I got a chance to say farewell to that beautiful boxy son of a bitch. This is my love letter to our sweet ride.
Thank you for showing us beautiful scenic roads stretching from Manning Park to the Okanagan, from White Rock to Whistler, the Gulf Islands, Mt. Baker, Seattle, Vancouver Island and Mt. Seymour.  You never let us down. We always arrived safe and sound. You even let us rack up over 216,000 kms without a single repair. You didn't mind that Molly drooled along your windows as she happily caught fresh air, craning her head into the wind. You somehow managed to steer me right to the hospital, when I couldn't even think straight, after hearing Craig had been struck down by a truck while he was out jogging. You got us home safe from Karen's house when most vehicles were spun off along the Trans Canada Highway during a horrendous snow storm in 2008. We always stockpiled you with mountain bikes and slapped a canoe on top, and treated you like an SUV we knew you could be, you lovable SOB. About every five minutes, when we pass yet another grey Corolla along the highway, we'll think of you. It sure was good to know ya Corolla. xoxo