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Heart and Soul, by Don Tassone

12/9/2025

 
Most people buy a new car every eight years.

Paul is an exception. He still drives his first car, which he bought nearly 50 years ago.

It gets lots of comments.

“Look at that antique!”

“Grandpa had a car like that.”

Paul just smiles. He took his wife on their first date in his car. He took his kids to soccer games in it. He drove it to work. He shuttled his parents to doctors in it.

People tell Paul he should trade his car in. But how do you part with something that shares your heart and soul?

Kathy K.
12/9/2025 01:42:08 pm

Don, don’t get me started. I don’t hang onto cars, but I hang onto some clothing. I have a coat that might be older than you are.🤭

John Young link
12/9/2025 10:42:46 pm

Kathy, You crack me up. But I too have a coat older than I am. An old Harris Tweed from the Scottish father of my landlady when I taught in English in England back in 1981. She sold it to me for 20 pounds. It's at least 100 years old now.

peppermint
12/9/2025 01:43:59 pm

Cars have become ego trips. Paul in Don's tender story knows WHO he is. He doesn't need a car to define himself. This story invites the readers to question who they truly believe they are identified as: an make of auto? a prestigious neighborhood? a brand of clothing? a club membership? This is a story that moves beyond the story. Fine job, Don

Libby Belle link
12/9/2025 01:57:04 pm

My smile lifted when reading this tender story. Thanks for starting my day with sweetness. Much needed these days. I'll take more, please.

Dee Lorraine
12/9/2025 09:29:50 pm

I love Paul’s sentimentality. Thanks for evoking fond memories, Don.

John Young link
12/9/2025 10:44:26 pm

Old cars, old habits, and, yes Kathy, old coats. We lock into weird items from our past. Touchstones. Some of mine are actual stones.

Sue Clayton
13/9/2025 03:50:17 am

Well said. Sometimes old can outweigh new.

Sivan Pillai
13/9/2025 05:16:25 am

For some people, old is gold, Don.

Don Tassone link
13/9/2025 12:44:59 pm

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments.

Pamela Kennedy
13/9/2025 07:06:30 pm

Thoroughly agree, old can be gold.

Don Tassone link
13/9/2025 07:13:48 pm

Yes. Our emotional bond with certain things can be strong and abiding. Thanks, Pamela.

Cheryl Dahlstrand
14/9/2025 04:34:54 pm

A legacy vehicle in so many ways.
It and he are still running!

Don Tassone link
14/9/2025 10:41:01 pm

Thanks, Cheryl.

Dawn Knox link
16/9/2025 04:04:13 pm

Ah, lovely story!

Don Tassone link
16/9/2025 04:09:26 pm

Thank you, Dawn!


Comments are closed.

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