"Ode to Mitsy" by David Parma

In the cold winter of 2003 Mitsy (Mitsubishi Galant) was purchased in the mountainous state of Utah. It was the first car David had ever purchased. She was taken in with such joy and delight: she was the car that would ultimately aid David in his search to find a mate. She wasn’t jealous in helping this worthy cause because David would wash her every week helping her to be sparkling clean.

Once David met Emily in the spring of 2004 Mitsy knew Emily was special. She took David & Emily on their first date to ‘La Dolce Vita’ she also took them there the night David proposed.

She then took them and pulled along their belongings to Chicago in the fall of 2005. She took Emily to work and David to classes. She was bruised and battered from all the parallel parking. She was ever so happy to help bring Bria home from the hospital and protect her from the cold.

And since she didn’t prefer the cold she took David, Emily and Bria to the warm state of Texas in the winter of 2007. Along the way to Texas one of the worst storms to hit Oklahoma had put many cars into the median- but not Misty, she stayed strong and protected David. She was happy to be in Texas, but not too happy since she had to do double duty on commuting since she was the only Parma automobile. She was also partially abused by Bria with her constant spilling of drinks and food--but David would try to clean her and make her happy. Mitsy ultimately didn’t mind since she got to watch Bria grow and even heard one of her first words ‘duce’ or translated ‘juice’.

The double commute was hard and for Bria’s safety/well-being and for Mitsy’s own health she allowed for the Parma’s to buy another vehicle. A bit of jealousy ensued because David drove the other car and neglected to wash her as often. A moment of joy returned when Mitsy was there to pick up Cali from the hospital at her birth. Mitsy was also happy since she remained the car of choice on date night because of her comfort. With her age she began to make a squeal--we took it to be a squeal of happiness.

But soon Mitsy could sense things were changing. She was neglected and infrequently washed and once she started to take Emily to the doctors for her third child she began to realize she doesn’t have the space or safety for 5 people. So in the spring of 2010, David, Emily, Bria & Cali gave her her last cleaning. Emily vacuumed and wiped. David fixed her door and trunk. Bria and Cali attempted to wash her and she was happy.

Then pictures were taken and posted on Craig’s list. A buyer, the same age as when David bought her, came from a far to purchase her, Mitsy--the loyal and trusty car that was there for so many special moments. We told the new owner her name and said she was special. We took the cash and handed her over and with some tears of sadness we said good-bye.

We wish you well Mitsy on your new chapter. Thanks for the great memories!