Our old Mitsubishi Lancer GLXI took a trip to Diamond Motors to get a 15-point checkup last Wednesday. It’s got a nasty bump on its rump. Besides that, its transmission is shot and its radiator’s full of dirt. It had problems with the alternators and air condition as well. Plus it waste a lot more gasoline than necessary.

The gentleman who handed me the lowdown on the auto’s ailments told me the transmission alone would cost more than the car’s value.

That old car is my father’s favorite. I believe they share similar predicament.

My father’s now has vicious-looking bedsores on his rump. His brain is damaged from hydrocephalus and because of bouts with infections, his temperature is high. Other patients have come and gone from the hospital, but he remains.

We don’t have the hundred thousands to spare. Otherwise we would fix our car, we would fix our dad. Each of them old and too expensive for our family to keep running.