I have received cars over the years – from my sister-in-law Elizabeth, and Robert’s aunt Jeannie. Those were wonderful moments – to receive a car, for no money, to use for your own purposes. I have now graduated into that period of my life where I am no longer the recipient but the donor. On April 6, our niece Sara will turn 16 and her very first car is our Subaru Outback station wagon.

It’s a bit like parting with a family member. I remember when we bought the car back in December of 2003. Lena was barely 2 months old and we brought her with us to the dealer in San Jose. She and I were the first in the family to ride in the car – I strapped her in her car seat, Robert got in the Jeep – and we drove off home. Lena slept through most of the experience, but I remember how much I loved driving that car home.

We’ve done a lot in the Outback – numerous ski trips, San Diego twice, Merced more times than I can count, Yosemite, even Yellowstone. Each time, the Subaru ferried us around with barely any complaint.

But now Cole’s legs are too long, and he and Lena can no longer fit comfortably in the back. So, last December in a repeat of history, Robert and I drove to San Jose (minus a baby!), to pick up our new Lexus RX350, which we love. We still have several years to pile on experiences in the Lexus before the kids leave.  But they were babies in the Subaru, so it will always have that special association for me.

Nonetheless, I am happy for Sara to start building her own driving experiences, and especially happy to pass along the generosity that I have also been blessed to receive.