Thank you, Grandma

My grandma Lillian [the best grandma in the world] died in 1999 and she left all her grandkids something. I could barely look at the check when it came. I bawled like a baby when I opened a savings account to hold it, because I knew it was stupid not to cash it, but I couldn't bear to touch it. I suppose I'm not the only person to cry in a bank manager's office.

It's been 8 years. I started thinking recently that maybe it was time to turn her last gift into something tangible. Something I've wanted for a very long time, but never really allowed myself to consider. Because it's not a frivolous purchase, but it's not a necessity, either. It's a big deal.

And now it's mine.

A real Vespa [LX 150, Portofino Green] from Motoretta, a place I've looked at with longing for years. [I used to walk into the one on College, look around and sigh audibly.] I'll get it in a few days. First I have to pass my M1 written test at the Ministry [of magic?]. Then the dealers get a license plate for it. Then I get to learn how to ride it.

In the late 1990s, I had a moped, and rode it carefully and well. I avoided streetcar-track streets, rode in the defensive position of the appropriate lane and really liked being able to get all over with it. But it was a spotty thing that only ran when it felt like it and only that if I rode it daily. I sold it for a bit more than what I paid for it and that was that.

This is a cadillac compared to that Honda Moped. It's also much more environmentally friendly than a vintage Vespa [in fact, this page tells me it puts out much less carbon dioxide than a hybrid car. It gets 72mpg. Wow. I looked into electric, but the technology just isn't there yet. Maybe in a few more years, but right now, the bikes are cheap and plasticy and not worth buying.

I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I wonder what grandma would have thought of my choice. I expect she'd just tell me to be safe and careful, and I promise I'll be doing that. I'll be taking a scooter safety course within the next month, because that's how I do things.

I'm also really excited because a simple google search showed me that I can park my new baby for free on the street where the Pay-and-Display meters are in Toronto. Thank you, Toronto City Council. Smart move.

So there you go. I now have my own wheels and don't need to take the car [an efficient small Subaru, but still] for my trips to the beach, to jewelry class and to Lettuce Knit every week. I can park just about anywhere, spit less CO2 into the air, all while riding the bike of my dreams.

Thank you, Grandma.
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p.s. yes, Grandma Lillian is the grandma -- the one Knitty is dedicated to, the one who taught me to knit and the one whose needles are on every page. :-)