My personal image has always been important to me, because I've viewed it as a reflection on my mother's parenting skills. I was never one for being flashy, trashy or trendy and I was far too poor to keep up with the Jones. As I’ve grown older, simple elegance has been the image I’ve tried to display to the world because it’s the image that’s most comfortable to me. Simple elegance was what I had in mind when it was time for me to purchase the second car I had ever owned in my life.
Up until that point, I had only driven a green Volkswagen Jetta. Not much thought about my image went into purchasing the Jetta. In 1995 I needed a car that I could afford and that was available to drive back to Pittsburgh for work and school that weekend. The green Jetta was in my price range and available to drive off the lot that day. Although it didn’t do much for my image, I loved that Jetta. It got me from point A to B for 11 years! And, she is still getting around thanks to my little cousin Kiara.
Then there was Inga…a Volvo XC90. I remember the first time I saw her in a commercial in 2003. I fell in love immediately. She was perfect for the image I wanted to portray to the world as a professional women climbing the corporate latter. She was, simply elegant. In 2006 I was ready. I had saved enough and made enough to afford Inga. Initially I wanted a white car with a cream interior. My mother quickly reminded me that I would never be able to keep that car clean, so I settled on an Ice White car with a charcoal grey interior. It was love at first sight. Inga was the first Swedish name that felt right to me and of course I had to give the car a proper name. The XC90 is such a refined car with such attitude that Inga seemed to be the perfect name. It was the perfect second car for me.
So, why is this important at this point in time? (Breathe!!) Because of my commitment to my international assignment in Nairobi, I felt it was necessary to sell my Inga. L Yes people, this week while I was home, one of the loose ends I had to tie up was selling my beloved Inga. This was a very surreal experience for me. Although this was the most logical thing for me to do, it was very difficult. The only saving grace was that she was going to be sold to a dear friend.
My friend Rebecca and her husband Jimmy purchased Inga and gave her a proper home. You see, Inga is not an outdoors car. It was important for the person purchasing her to have a garage in which Inga would live and a Volvo dealer who would service her. I’m not sure how she would respond if she was left outside during a snow storm or if a non-Volvo dealer touched her insides. LOL. Many of you may think that is crazy, but Rebecca understood. When she got Inga home to New York, she promptly sent me a picture of Inga in her new room. It put my mind at ease.
I didn’t realize how much Inga had become a part of my image until I sat in the Toyota Rav 4 I rented until my return to Nairobi. Oh people, it wasn’t the same. SMH. There was an air you had about yourself when you sat in Inga. Even if I jumped in her looking like a bum to run to the store, people nodded their approval when I pulled up. In a Rav 4 people change lanes to get away from you…like I did when Inga encountered an inferior car. LOL. I’m just kidding…a little bit. I am genuinely sad about letting go of my Inga, but I’m comforted by the fact that she has a good home with Becca. J I’m back in Nairobi next week so the saga will continue. Don't forget to sign on as a follower.
Della Rochelle
Copyright © 2011 by Della R. Williams
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