I know saying “this year, I am thankful for my car” sounds materialistic and superficial. But those who know me will inevitably know my car: a Grey 2006 Honda CR-V EX. It’s a clunky car that looks way too old and way too big for a small high school junior like me.

So why am I thankful for it? I could say the obvious: it takes me from point A to point B without breaking down in the middle of the road. But more than that, my car means independence, freedom and an increased sense of responsibility. It means not having to depend on others for my travel needs, waiting at the bus stop to get to school and bring me back home late, or asking for a ride anywhere. 

On top of that, my car holds memories. I grew up in this car, as it was my mom’s before it was mine. This car brought home my newborn sister 14 years ago. In this same car, I now take my sister to Target and come back home screaming songs at the top of our lungs. It was this car that my mom used to drop me off at scheduled playdates at my friend’s house when I was in Mockingbird Elementary School. It is in this same car that I now take to see my friends in an unplanned manner whenever I please(while occasionally breaking my parents’ rules).

My car played a big role in my childhood, from riding in it in the passenger seat sitting on my Graco booster seat to being in the driver’s seat and actually driving it. It gives me a sense of responsibility and pride to say “yes, I drive” and “yes, this is my car.”

So when I am asked this year, “what are you thankful for?”, I’m not going to respond with “my parents” or “my sister” or “my friends”, though all of which are still true. This year, I am thankful for my Grey 2006 Honda CR-V EX for taking me from point A to Point B in my life. 

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