Goodbye Delilah

I wanted to take a little while to pay tribute to something that has been a part of my life for many years now.

Everyday that we live, we use all kinds of items that help us stay nourished, productive, alive, and even prosperous.

Well, over the last nine years, I’ve had Delilah.  She has been a consistent and unbelievably dependable force in my life.  Without her, I would not have achieved all that I have accomplished so far.

In case you are wondering, Delilah is my little green 1994 Toyota truck.  Many of you who have known me over the years have seen me tootling along in this little chariot of mine.

I cannot overstate how important it is to have reliable transportation.  Delilah carried me through long road trips to visit my family over the holidays, through harsh winter weather, steep mountain highways, and torrential rain.  She helped me lug all the gear I needed to take a bunch of kids out camping when I worked at Time Out Youth.  In her steady hands, she helped to deliver my keyboard, amps, and other equipment to countless shows.  She was my chaperone on dates that went well or sour–keeping a vigilant eye over her little love-seeking Asian.  In her care, I cried, laughed, hung out with friends, and was able to truly live.

I can still remember the many trips on I-40 traveling between Charlotte, NC and Nashville.  I had the window down and my music up.   Just me and Delilah out in the open road.  I ALWAYS knew that I would get to my destination safely, and I ALWAYS did.

Outside of the regular wear and tear, I did not have any major problems with her.  She was also a very energy-efficient car.   At the current high gas prices, it only took about $40 to fill her up, and this usually lasted me a couple of weeks.  She gets incredibly good gas mileage on the freeway.  On my last trip to Charlotte back in June, I spent only $60 traveling about 418 miles (according to mapquest) on the freeway.  Do the math.  Delilah is a badass truck!!

In July, I did what I knew was inevitable.  I had to let her go.  An unusual set of circumstances brought about the chance to get a brand new car.  This chance was offered, and I took it.  I was able to sell Delilah for a very good price.  In her honor, almost all of the money I made will go towards getting my new album “Seahorses” pressed and ready.  She has a little thank you in the album’s liner notes.

I’ve known people who had the most awful, troublesome cars.  Delilah was such a gargantuan blessing.  She had the most wonderful Karma–my sweet green, chariot who will always have my heart.

On the day I sold her,  I watched her drive away in the delighted arms of her new owner.  She turned at a corner, and too quickly, she was gone.

I make no apologies about being so sentimental about a car.  She is, by far, the most amazing car I have ever had.

She reminds me to value what I have in my life.  There was the finest gold underneath her green skin with diamonds encrusted within each scar.

No, she was absolutely not just a beat-up old truck–but a fine, true thoroughbred in disguise.

So cute and pretty . . .

Lovely.

Inside the carriage

Smiling.

On the day we said goodbye . . .

I’m going to miss her and think of her often as I continue on in my journey through life.

Goodbye, my friend.  You hold me in your arms, always .  .  .  .

-g