Carwash

I have always found the carwash to be a complete source of comfort and tranquility. I turn the music up extremely loud and thoroughly enjoy the next 4 minutes and 22 seconds.

When Aviana first arrived, she was terrified of the carwash. She would cry and I would tell her, “Honey, it’s not scary, look at all of the pretty colors, look at the beautiful flying water.”

After about two months she loved it. Before she could talk a smile would wash over her face and I would watch as her body would relax as we went through. Once able to talk, we would leave the gym and she would excitedly scream out “Mommy, go carwash.” She yelled this just about every day. I was so happy that she enjoyed this activity as much as I did.

The second the water would start to drip on the car, she would say, with a huge grin on her face, “Mommy, r-a-i-n-i-n-g!”

I finally ventured out to the carwash two days ago, I turned the music up, but this time was different. My face was as wet with tears as the windshield was with soapy water. My head was also spinning and swirling just like the brushes which clean the car exterior. No longer was the carwash a source of peace and serenity, but now was cause for sadness and solitude.