Throughout the month of March, I am participating in the annual Slice of Life Story Challenge, an event hosted by the team at Two Writing Teachers. Every day in March, I will share a story and comment on the stories of other participants. Please join us in writing, sharing, reading, and commenting!
"Did you see that VW bug?" Clare asked. We were on our way to my PT, and she was driving, so I was checking out the cars on the Volkswagon/ Volvo lot pretty closely. "It's so cute," she said.
I hadn't seen any bugs on the lot, and I admitted that. (I think I would have noticed one because Herbie was always a favorite, and I still have fantasies of my 60-something self zooming around in a topless Bug. #Won'tHappen) It would be fun to have Clare in a little Bug. I could borrow it, it wouldn't take up much room-- how cute! And what a surprise... Clare's always talking about getting something big that can fit all her stuff and then some.
What I had noticed was the new VW van, though. In a world where vinyl records and flare jeans have made sort of a comeback, why am I surprised that the VW van look is being resurrected? Somehow the brown van with the light brown roof that my friend Cally's family had was infinitely cooler than the blue Country Squire with wish-it-was-wood paneling. (I took a lot of that paneling off, to be honest, when I was figuring out how to navigate a too-big-for-me car! Each pulled-off panel could be a slice!)
Clare continued to talk about how much she liked that Bug. It's electric. The color. The possibilities for fitting in all her stuff and friends on road trips...
Wait? What?
Was she talking about the Bug that was on Sesame Street with all the people who kept climbing out? Does anyone remember that?
"Clare," I said, "you're not talking about a Bug. That's a Herbie car."
"Did I say Bug?" she asked. "I meant van. I love that van."
Well, that checks out.
Funny how cars can pull at memory strings, though. Ah, those VWs.
I’ve noticed the vans at our local vw too…I have yet to see one on the road. I wonder if they’ll catch on! You did a nice job weaving present, inner thinking, and past. I think you should definitely write about the panel removals! ❤️Jess
ReplyDeleteYou've pulled at my memory strings. The Love Bug - a favorite movie from way back when! And the Sesame Street image of everyone coming out of the bug! Thanks for those memories! Glad you and Clare got some clarification before PT! (Hope the PT went well!) - dawn
ReplyDeleteLOL I'm still confused which one Clare wants. Might need a visual reference. Like a scooby doo car?! Not a herbie fully loaded.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Boy was I confident too. Herbie fully loaded is NOT what I am picturing myself in! But that VW electric bus? Sign me up
ReplyDeleteAs I say anytime I get into a car of yesteryear, they don't make 'em like they used to. I learned to drive on a square back VW, and I would LOVE to have an old Volkswagen in great working condition. The new ones look like so much fun.
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend and I keep looking at the new VW vans with googly eyes. He’s convinced he wants one! I love how this small moment brought you back to different memories of the cars.
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