We didn’t set out to “name” our car – it just happened.  Actually, I guess you could say that he “earned” his name.  About two years ago, we were in South Georgia on a hunting trip with Chick B and her family.  The jeep they use for quail hunting broke down, so we had to be resourceful.  All eight of us piled into the Expedition with two dogs, guns and hunting gear.

After the hunt, a conversation ensued regarding how many trips we had taken together in that car since 1997.  (In our family, the official car policy is “Drive it until it dies.”)  The kids of course are opposed to this policy and have been ready for new and improved for some time now.  We were all joking about the fact that this Ford with 200,000 miles just keeps rolling despite the wear and tear.  Chick B’s husband quipped –“yeah that car just keeps rolling like Thunder!”  That day our 1997 Ford Expedition became Thunder.

Thunder has earned his name with nearly 203,000 miles, eleven years of vacations, road trips, errands, countless carpools to school and all with minimal repairs.  Even though it is sappy to say, Thunder is a part of our family.  While our kids are still lobbying for a new car, we have a sneaking suspicion they might be a little sad when Thunder goes to the junk yard.

But for now – Thunder just keeps on rolling . . .

Chick A