By ANN WORTHINGTON

We know that an automobile is a land vehicle used for the transporting of passengers. It is self-propelled and has an internal combustion engine and four wheels.

While viewing a parade recently, a new car slowly made its way down the parade route. The paint job on the car was so shiny I could have used its reflection to comb my hair. The whole crowd envied the person who owned such a fine piece of metal, and I thought about some of the cars we owned back in the day.

I assure you that the paint didn’t gleam like the one passing on the street. The cars had a rather dull finish.

I thought about the interior of the shiny new car and compared my first car with what I imagined and actually knew about this car.

Mine had handles to roll the windows up and down, no heater, no air conditioner, except for the “460,” meaning four windows down traveling at a speed of 60 miles an hour.

If I wanted to get to church or another special event, I had to keep the windows up, but by the time I reached my destination, the perspiration had sent my hair into a frenzied mess. I couldn’t win for losing.

The one thing I was most proud of was a gadget on the steering wheel called a Smart Man knob. My brother had one and I thought I had to have one too. It was a little knob that fit on the steering wheel of the car. All of us thought it was cool to steer our cars with this contraption.

One of the things I did have on my car was running boards on each side. I could wipe my feet before dragging half the highway inside the car with me.

Also my old car had fender skirts that kept mud from slinging all over it when I traveled down our highways, which were mostly unpaved.

I didn’t have a tape deck, C.D. player, cell phone or any of the gadgets that I am sure came with the sleek car in the parade, but I was just as happy because all I wanted was something that would take me and bring me. My old car certainly served its purpose for that.

My friends, I have to laugh sometimes at the old days, but we were happy back then. The best part is that we always had time for each other.

I really miss the fellowship and laughter we so often shared on Sunday evenings, especially, when my parents’ home was often filled with visiting relatives, family and friends.

I see that my time is up for now, so until next time, enjoy your memories and share them with family and friends. As always, may all of you be blessed in a very special way.