“It’s Just a Car”

Back when I was in my early 20s, I was barely getting by. I worked as a pastry

chef at a catering company, making about $10 an hour, which was just enough

to cover rent if nothing went wrong. One night after a long shift, I got into my beat-up

old car to go home—and it wouldn’t start. Just completely died. Sitting there in

the parking lot, I felt this wave of panic because I knew I couldn’t afford repairs,

let alone another car. My boss, who owned the company, noticed I was upset

and asked what was wrong. When I explained, she laughed and said,

“Why are you so upset? It’s just a car. Just buy another one.”