I don’t know about you but I’ve always names inanimate objects including the Christmas Turkey every year. When I found out October 1st was National Name Your Car Day, I thought I would share our cars names with you. I’ve discovered cars and other vehicles don’t always stay just “cars.” Sometimes they get names and sometime they become family. When naming our vehicles sometimes those names fit their personalities perfectly. And sometimes, a vehicle becomes part of a family story.
So, what is your car’s name? Leave me a comment below telling me and I will share why we name our vehicles? October 2nd is National Name Your Car Day, a fun #Holiday that encourages people to give their vehicles a name and share the story behind it. For families cars can become part of our everyday lives, taking us to work, school, appointments, vacations, grocery stores and all those little places in between.
Apparently, we’re not the only ones who name there cars. A 2019 Capital One survey of about 2,000 licensed drivers found that 40% said they had given their vehicle a name. But around here, naming vehicles isn’t just about picking a funny name. Sometimes there is a story behind it.
Let’s start with the easy ones. My best friend’s car is named Eeyore. And honestly, I think that name fits Because it is a grayish blue and Eeyore is mine and her favorite Winnie the Pooh character and the reason she picked this color of car. Although, she needs a new car now.
Our truck is Big Red because he is red and Big Red is Charlie’s favorite Soda but the truck is little so David says it should be called Little Red but to bad I named it and I’m not changing it. Then there is my scooter. Her name is Thelma. Yes, as in Thelma and Louise. My scooter has an attitude, and Thelma just seemed like the right name for her.
Before I had my scooter, I had a bike named Bertha and a push Lawn Mower named Henry. Unfortunately, my husband lost Bertha when he didn’t pay our storage bill but that wasn’t his fault because his hours was cut at work and we didn’t have the money to pay it.
That’s one of those stories that isn’t nearly as funny as it sounds when you remember that Bertha was actually part of my life. You can name something because it makes you laugh, but after you’ve had it for a while, that name becomes attached to memories and that is what Thelma and Louise does for me
Then there is Charlie’s Ford, and if I were naming it, I already know what I’d call it. Fury. Why? Because Charlie drives like he’s furious all the time or like Mario Andretti in a race. Now, before Charlie gets mad at me, I’m only saying that because I love him. Or do I?
His gray GMC is another story. I’m thinking Grey Wolf might be a pretty good name for it, although I’m still working on that one. Maybe Charlie should get the final vote. Maybe. But then again why should I ask him when he is going to say I’m not naming it and your not either. I will just do it and not tell him.
One day, when I grow up and my rich Uncle finally gets out of the poor farm, I am going to have a van of my own. And not just any van. I’m talking about a 1970s-style van, inspired by the kind of vans we remember from the old days—and, of course, a little bit like the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine.
I haven’t decided whether my van will have shag carpet inside. But I’m pretty sure it will be either pink or purple. And there will be flowers. Lots of flowers. There will be butterflies floating through those flowers, because butterflies are an important part of my Greatful Moments story.
There will be little symbols of love and peace. And somewhere, hidden among all those flowers, there will be a little frog. You’ll have to look for him. There will be my cross, too. And the peace symbol. Because this van isn’t about being fancy. It’s about what I believe in.
I’ve already decided what I’m going to call this dream van. The Love Machine. And no, I’m not talking about anything sexual. I’m talking about love, kindness, peace and caring about other people. Because I believe love and kindness go hand in hand in this world.
That’s what I want my Love Machine to represent. And across the back? It will say: Grateful Moments Because that’s where all of this comes from. Along with Grateful. Thankful. Blessed. And if I’m ever lucky enough to have that crazy pink-or-purple flower-covered van, I want people to see a little bit of that message wherever I go.
Maybe they’ll see the butterflies. Maybe they’ll find the frog. Maybe they’ll notice the cross. Maybe they’ll smile at the peace symbol. And maybe, just maybe they will see the word love woven in, and they’ll remember that there is still room in this world for a little more love and kindness.
Now it’s your turn. Do you have a name for your car, truck, van, motorcycle, scooter or another favorite ride? Maybe it’s named after a person. Maybe it’s because of its color. Maybe it has a personality all its own. Or maybe, like Charlie’s Ford, someone in your family has already decided what its name should be—even if the driver hasn’t agreed yet.
Tell us: What’s your vehicle’s name, and how did it get that name? And if I ever pull up beside you in a purple-and-pink flower-covered van called The Love Machine, you’ll know it’s me. Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed. We think National Name Your Car Day is one of those silly little holidays that can turn into something more meaningful. A name can remind us of a person, a place, a season of life or simply a funny memory. For us, the names are part of the stories. And that’s what Greatful Moments is all about.
GratefulMoments.com
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
