Goodbye Friend

Today the Kidney Foundation will come and tow Omar away. It is very sad to say goodbye to him. He played a big part in many lives. I truly saw him as a person, which is weird, because he was a car. But what character and personality! Through good and bad, Omar was always there, chugging along, never complaining.

Some highlights of his life with us:
I'd have to say the one trip that sticks out in my mind of Omar's time with us is when Derrick, Dino and I drove to Kelowna to visit Alena. This was before the mechanics figured out the thermostat problem, so his top speed was about 90 km/h. Derrick and I took turns driving on mostly 2-lane roads. We had a bit of a competition going to see who could have the most people pass them at one time. I can't remember exactly how long it took us to get there, but we didn't arrive until about 2:30 am.

Trip Yellowjam has to be another of Omar's finest moments. Dino, Derrick, Jill and I drove down to Missoula, Montana to see Pearl Jam. Dino went on by bus to Seattle to visit his brother while the rest of us continued on to Yellowstone. I don't know about everyone else, but I was nervous the whole time that Omar wouldn't make it. But that was just foolishness! Omar was a real Trooper, made it the whole way with no problems. Some of the mountain passes brought him to his knees, with a top speed of 50 km/h, but he hung in there!

He transported us to the mountains for countless ski days. We have taken the back seat's side panel out so many times to put skis in that it no longer fits back in. While many little cars were skidding out and off the road on powder days, Omar cruised right up with ease.

There was also the time when Derrick and Omar saved our lives on the way back from skiing at Louise. The roads were really icy and traffic was traveling at about 60 km/h. A big SUV coming in the opposite direction spun out, crossed the wide median and came into our lane. Derrick was cool as a cucumber, checked his blind spot and swerved out of the way. We came within inches, but Omar's big beefy tires pulled it off.

And don't forget the trip to Fernie a few years ago when it snowed so hard on the way home that we couldn't see past the hood. We had to pull off to the side of the road until we could see again, but Omar kept traction the whole time. Also, he didn't kill any bunnies like Jill's car did.

He may not have had guts or balls, but boy did he have heart and soul! He is now going to a better place. And more than that, his last act will be to help out people with kidney problems.

Please feel free to post any stories or words for Omar in the comments.