So today, I thought I would share my passion in life, and I don't expect everyone to understand it. But it is a love down to the core. I feel at home in an engine bay. I feel freedom when I shift gears and I feel complete when I hold the steering wheel. I could never explain how no matter what is going on in my life... for that short amount of time in the drivers seat, everything is just a little bit better... So I thought I would share my first experience and why cars mean so much to me.
In your life, there are people who are introduced to change your very core. Whether they are in your life for a split second or meant to live along side you for many chapters to come, there are people who come into your world that if never there, you would not be the person you are today. They inspire you, threaten you and push you to make decisions as to who you're going to be. Some you'd rather never have met them and others you couldn't see your life without. I have a handful of these people in my life. Whether I love them or hate them, I owe a piece of my being to them. Because if not for them, I may not be me.
Sarah was not an inspiration or an important part of me, but she did network me to one of the most influential people in my life. I did not look up to him, or adore him. I didn't even like him... but he opened my eyes to the passion I live for today. I have always had a love for cars. My uncle introduced me to the beauty of cars at a young age. He built scale models of old hot rods and sometimes exotic cars. But this man really sparked the obsession.
I was given the opportunity to sneak out, go driving around with older kids and go drinking. I hadn't done anything of that sort since I moved to SW. My heart raced and I lowered myself down onto the gravel below my window, frightened and holding back insecure and nervous giggles as I opened the gate and met up with Sarah and her very older friends Derek and Dwayne. Dwayne was an overweight guy who smelled like swisher sweets and drove a silverish tan Mazda with blue neons under the seats lighting up the trash on the floor board at my feet in the back seat with Sarah. Derek was a short clean cut guy who seemed to think he could sweet talk anyone. Sarah was head over heals for Derek who drove an AWD 1989 Subaru Justy. Nothing special about it but Derek was going to change my world and open my eyes to an addiction far greater than any drug on the streets and love far deeper than any high school sweetheart could ever feel. The feelings were not towards him. They were towards the screaming of pistons, The squealing of tires and the sweet smell of smoke as we slid sideways at 2 o'clock in the morning in the zoo hills. Twisting and turning and controlling an out of control car. I was in love. Time stopped, nothing mattered. It was the bliss of standing in the forest met with pure uncut adrenaline and all my problems outside that car slipped away. Every piston did in fact sound like freedom. Every crest and hair pin made me forget everything bad that ever happened to me, and for a moment on the brink of insanity and unstable tires, the world was at peace for me.
So this is my love...
My passion...
My frustrations...
My unwavering desire to continue learning...
It puts my mind at peace...
And makes me feel truly free...
