One of these days, when I finally succumb to a [perfectly excusable, inevitable, you-would-too-if-you-had-five-boys] mid-life crisis, I want to get one of these:

1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. Image (c) Kevin Campbell - I hope Mr. Campbell doesn't mind me swooning over his beautiful machine, which I noticed that he entered in the Cops & Rodders Car Show in Tuscon, AZ, a few years ago. (Source: http://www.copsandrodderstucson.org/carphotos.html)

It is a 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, and I used to own one. Mine had a 5-speed manual transmission, moon roof, all kinds of engine specs that make men drool and a trunk that could hold two or three bodies (just guessing on that last spec).

I bought it used in college after my Ford Escort was totaled by a young man who shall remain nameless, but I’ll give you a hint: he ended up becoming my husband. (He says I hold grudges, but I swear that I haven’t mentioned that particular incident in YEARS. And whenever it did come up, he always reminded me that I got my sweet T-Bird out of the deal. So, I suppose it worked out in the end.)

Why don’t I still have it? Well, that’s a long story, but here’s the nutshell: I felt led to go overseas to teach English with a nonprofit education group after graduation, but I had to raise my own support. My home church and friends and family were very generous in helping me toward my goal, but I don’t exactly hobnob with the uppity-ups, so I had to sell the car.

Logically, I know that it wouldn’t be practical to have today; after all, you can only seat two comfortably, though I suppose a contortionist could squeeze into the back “seat.” It’s not a family car. It’s a sports car.

So … perhaps I can get one in 10 years when the youngest monkeys are going on 17, except then the car will be 33 years old and probably worth more as a “classic” than I will be able to afford with two Juniors, a Senior, another Junior in college and a Senior in college.

Goodness gracious … what did I just write?!? Perhaps the crisis part of the mid-life crisis will hit me sooner than that! LOL!  O.o