Maria got her new (used) car this morning, just about a month after a car backhanded her as she was waiting to make a turn. Her new car is a 2018 Ford Focus. It has about 40,000 miles on it, and this model has a lot of loyal followers. Many have messaged us to say they drove it for 300,000 and 400,000 miles.

When she saw it, Maria liked the car right away and went to a Honda dealer to look at it. The previous owner had traded it in. I was struck by Maria’s calm, efficiency, and clear head. These few weeks have been surprisingly tumultuous for us.

We have an awful lot going on, from her accident to my cataract surgery.

I was around for moral support, but she didn’t need much.

She made a great deal, and we are relieved to put this behind us. When I look at what is happening in the world, I count my blessings and swell with gratitude.

One thing to be grateful for is how we can always talk to each other. That has taken us and our relationship very far.

I will be forever grateful that she wasn’t seriously injured.

We are always able to talk through things, even when we disagree.

It was an enjoyable, arduous process, full of things to fill out lots of paperwork and many phone calls and documents to overwhelmed insurance people.

At first, we decided to become a one-car family. We felt okay with that. But when we thought about it, neither of us felt comfortable.

Even though I’m older—77—and she is much younger, neither one of us thought easy about not having our car when we wanted one.

Being independent is a particular issue for many women (and many men) and it is essential to them in a way many men sometimes don’t quite understand.

Maria felt the need for that strongly, and despite my being older, so did I.

The day may come, but we just aren’t ready yet. I followed her home from the dealer this morning, and we celebrated by getting some hot dogs at Bob’s Hot Dog Stand just down the road.  She said she felt instantly comfortable in the car.

I’m happy to have that behind us. Our crash wasn’t serious for her, it was frighteningly close.

The car buying process was a monumental headache and intrusion. Life in America gets more complicated by the day. Nobody can trust anyone it seems.

We are happy to move forward in our lives, work, and with the animals that we love.

An to get into our car whever we want or need to.