Keep Your Motor Running

They checked under the hood, made sure the headlights were working, noticed the oil was down a couple of quarts and put a bit of air in the tires.  We are not talking car maintenance; I went for my annual 20,000-mile checkup.

This is the yearly trek to the person in the white coat to see how much wear and tear my body endured, tolerated or suffered over the year and to resolve that I will put much better fuel into the system and steer it with a lot more care.  I learned this year that when you get to a certain curve in the road a few less strenuous miles on the chassis could give you a bit more life in the long run. 

It was mentioned to me that rounding the corners of life should be done with precision and accuracy and not necessarily at the fastest speed – life isn’t a race after all.  It is the journey that matters and if you save a portion of your tread for future pursuits, all the better.  When you take a break for a most needed and necessary pit stop, ensnare the time and enjoy the scenery before racing away without everything fueled up, bolted down or safely secured.  Advice from your valued crew may invigorate you to go that extra mile.  And remember, you may not find a 24-hour “all service” station every time you need it, so it is always good to be prepared for the unexpected and know you may have to sometimes fill your tank yourself.

Even though it’s a fact that my motor will soon be running a little warmer than usual, it is comforting to know that the proper additives will be available.  Great research has been done over the years into knowing if and when an engine needs to be reconditioned or replaced.  The mechanic is the member of your team that holds the majority, and usually the most optimum information and explanations when making the big decisions.  Developing a good relationship with them allows for confidence, faith and trust if the assessment points to putting you up on the racks for a major overhaul or rebuild.

If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a first class, top-notch team to steer me through the course of life.  I tried, when I was younger, to choose my turns wisely but to little avail and am quite lucky I didn’t crash, burn and roll over.  With a few more miles, and a lot more experience behind the wheel, I have learned that you only get so many miles per gallon and I must choose wisely which direction I am heading and try not to use up valuable resources.  Besides, I like to take the road less traveled sometimes and if I take it easy in one area I have plenty for the other.

Sometimes life will throw you a curve, but if you have both hands on the steering wheel, eyes facing front and you are confident that all systems are go, a pleasant drive into the sunset can become a reality.  Just remember to fuel up before you head out!

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life.  Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-