I'll be surprised if he makes it that far, but maybe?
Back in 2008 when the 1999 Explorer was gifted to us, my son suggested "Edward" as a name. So, Edward it was. When he turned 200,000, he became Sir Edward. When he turned 300,000, I asked if he would like to become King. He declined and said he preferred serving as a Knight.
Back in 2008 when the 1999 Explorer was gifted to us, my son suggested "Edward" as a name. So, Edward it was. When he turned 200,000, he became Sir Edward. When he turned 300,000, I asked if he would like to become King. He declined and said he preferred serving as a Knight.
I think it is not unusual for vehicle owners to name their vehicles. But to have the vehicle communicate back? That might put me in the weird category. No surprise there...Haha.
Why have I not yet purchased a replacement vehicle?
Because Sir Edward meets my specific disability needs, and he is very comfortable--the headrest, the seat, and the manner in which I am able to load and haul my bicycle. That said, little things are starting to wear out that aren't worth the investment to fix at his age. (I think of my own body, in that regard...)
In the movie Cast Away, Chuck Noland (played by Tom Hanks) finds himself on a deserted island after a plane crash. Shortly after the crash, he finds a volleyball made by Wilson Sporting Goods in the wreckage. Using his blood from a cut on his hand, Noland paints a face on the ball and appropriately names it "Wilson." He is stranded for almost 4 years; Wilson is his companion during his long isolation.
I can't recall exactly when, in my disabled life, that I began regularly naming and talking with inanimate objects. But I do recall chuckling and saying to myself, "Well, this is understandable. It's like Tom Hanks and Wilson. I'm isolated and am finding ways to feel connection."
One example is stuffed animals....
One day as I was again grieving the loss of connection with pets and the fact that I am not able to care for a pet, I thought, "Stuffed animals! I have plenty from my preschool-teacher days." I later read online that I wasn't alone with this idea.
I think maybe when a person, for whatever reason, is faced with the reality of their limitations and has to adjust or completely release their life work or dreams, they have to find meaning in seemingly insignificant things. They might notice more detail in things they didn't pay much attention to before.
I think maybe when a person, for whatever reason, is faced with the reality of their limitations and has to adjust or completely release their life work or dreams, they have to find meaning in seemingly insignificant things. They might notice more detail in things they didn't pay much attention to before.
Like when I make my bed and place the pillow just right so that the butterfly on the floral print pillowcase is facing the window so it can fly free.
In January this year, as I looked around my home, I realized that even the floors and walls pulse with life. I wrote a prose about that at this link: Pulsing with life....
A crew at sea saved Chuck Noland in Cast Away...
Sir Edward depends on A Crew Auto Repair for his maintenance...
Let me introduce you to some of my other inanimate crew mates...
My Trek bicycles: Olivia, who now stands on my indoor trainer for indoor pedaling; Black Beauty (Bleu for short); and Midnight Rider (Midnight for short). When I drop them at Ken's Bike Shop for servicing, the service crew gets a kick out of the names.Wally: My first walker, inherited from Mom. Wally is a simple, basic walker.The Phoenix: My deluxe rollator walker, named for her metallic burgundy color and the fact that she's helped me rise from the ashes.Dr. Echo McCoy: My low-level, red laser named for its brand, Erchonia, and for Dr. McCoy on the original Star Trek series.
Sequoia: My inversion table, who I bought after I shrank 3 inches in a 2-year span causing kyphosis. Think Quasimodo, except my hunchback is in my lower thoracic area. I quit shrinking after I began inverting. Has Sequoia helped me? I'd like to think so but can't say for sure.
Rocket: My furry, puppet raccoon--named after Rocket in the Guardians series--who now accompanies me on my bike rides. A stuffed Baby Groot used to accompany me. I also purchased extra Baby Groots, which I would haul in my bike trunk and give away along my rides. I hope to purchase more and again be a Groot ambassador.
Uhuru: My little SE iPhone, named after the communications officer in the original Star Trek.
Cane and Able: My two trekking poles that help enable me to get around.
That's all I can think of now...
I may add more as they come to mind, or as my inanimate crew grows...
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| Happy Birthday Sir Edward! May 22, 2026 |
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