14 Apr The Smiley Face Sticker
In preparation for the end of my car’s lease, I spent some time cleaning it out last weekend. I began with the glove box and moved to other compartments, big and small, that have gathered miscellaneous items over the years. Parking passes to pick up the girls from school. A little robot made of scrap wood pieces. A heart-shaped clay keychain with Emma’s thumbprint. A green ribbon reading “Awesome!” (marking the first time Ella did a perfect flip turn in swim class). A sweet note from my husband.
I collected these treasures and brought them inside to sort into memory boxes, deciding which things to save and which to let go. I went back to the car to admire my handiwork and make sure it was completely cleaned out.
On the steering wheel, I saw a sticker Emma gave me years ago. It was a small smiley face she stuck on the bottom of the wheel, telling me that if I was ever having a bad day, I could look at it and see a smile back at me and feel happy. I can still hear her little voice saying these words and think of the many times she would peer over the seat to make sure I still had the sticker. The smiley face has worn off, so it is mostly silver with a yellow outline. But I know what it once was.
I carefully peeled the sticker from the steering wheel and put it in a safe place on my desk, not sure what to do with it but not wanting to leave it behind.
Yesterday, I got my new car. It is fresh and clean and smells good. But it is missing something. I carefully carry out the sticker and, using a glue stick to make sure it stays, I stick the happy face to the new steering wheel.
I look at it. In my mind’s eye, I see it smile back at me. And I feel happy.