I'm sorry that this is a repost from the S. CA boards but I wanted to make sure my friends here who don't surf that corner of the forum see this.

As some of you know, my family suffered a pretty severe blow a few weeks ago when my father suffered a stroke. The good news is that most of my family is rallying together to do what's best for him and my Mom and we're finding ways to deal with the emotional, physical and fiscal realities that we now face. You can't imagine how quickly the lifes of a healthy, happy, and loving family can change almost instantaneously when something like this happens. You certainly learn the value of family and friends and how important some things are and un-important others are.

One of those realizations came with my car. Don't get me wrong, I have loved my S2K's. When I took delivery of my second one with the plastics on it and 3 miles on the odo, I thought I'd keep it forever. I've got S2K models in my office, pictures on my walls, Dan Carney's book at home and damn near every printed article I could find on the car. I maintain that the S2K is a damn fine automobille and a real gift to us from Honda.

But it's just a car. My family needs some additional financial security right now and one way I could quickly assist that is by selling my car and cashing out some equity as well as getting free from a monthly payment. So after some quick soul searching and discussions with my wife, we decided to sell the car.

I completed that sale this morning to a very nice guy named David Hsu (Savan 2 on this board). Some of you might have met him as he rode his 600RR to one of the smalller S. CA meets (a Korean BBQ, I believe) a while back.

David is a true gentleman and just the nicest guy. I nearly cried when I left him with the car but I feel much better knowing that its left with someone with his character.

So I find myself reflecting on the last three years of S2000 ownership and damn near three years on this board and its predecessors. I've met some really great people here and learned a tremendous amount from so many of you. I wish you all the best and hope that you will extend David the same warm courtesy that you have extended me.

In addition, and I'm sorry if I'm getting somewhat philosophical on all of you, I hope that you'll each take a moment today and realize a few things. Realize how lucky you are to live in this country. Realize how lucky you are to be able to chose what you want to do with your life. Realize how lucky you are to be able to drive this awesome little car. Realize how fortunate you are to have your friends and family. And finally, realize the need to live for today but plan for tomorrow. Live each day to its fullest. Put the top down when its "only" 60 degrees and take some time to turn down the stereo and listen to the F20C purr. But most importantly, take the time to make sure your friends and family know how much they mean to you.

Aloha -

Christian "Da Hapa" Asis

 

Sorry to hear about your Dad, my best wishes go out to him and your entire family.

 

Christian,

Touching indeed, and no where close to over-bearingly "philosophical" I think that you did the right thing, and despite the regret that may follow handing those precious keys over, remember that afterall it is "just" a car. The health and welfare of your family, coupled with their financial stability is far more important than any of the things the wonderful S2000 could provide us with. I too, would have done what you did.

A well written post. Reminds me to do a mental count and acknowledgement off all the things and people that mean so much to me in my life. Thank you.

Finally, fret not. Just because you don't have an S2000, doesn't mean you can't frequent the forum, and pipe in your 2c every now and again. I mean come on, what would life truly be, without seeing like minded enthusiasts quibble as to which is better; the 2.2l or the 2.0l for days on end?

Good luck, and regards to your family.
God bless.

Asif

 

I truly hope you and your family can get through this trying time. You always hear about this happening to people but hopefully not to you and your loved ones.

As you say the S is only a car and to many a luxury item. Hopefully some time in the future you will have the ability to get back into a S. But if not you at least had fun while it lasted.

Don't be a stranger.

tomorrow may be brighter.

 

Your post is filled with mature reflection - thanks for sharing it with us.

My best to you and your family.

 

Losing a family member is a horrible personal tragedy, Da Hapa. My thoughts go out to you and your family.

Don't abandon the s2ki community, despite the sale of your S. Hope to continue to see you around. Perhaps things will change down the road and you'll come back to the fold. Until then, best wishes.

 

Very sad news...but you have made the right decision for you and your family, which is most important. You have your priorities straight. I hope for the best for your father on his long road to recovery, and to see you out here again in the future.

 

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I'm not really all that religous (I consider myself more spiritual despite my name) but I honestly think that all of your thoughts and prayers help.

My Dad is doing a little better each and every day but he's got a tough, long road ahead of him. The family has pulled together and we'll be fine in the long run. But I'll tell you what, an event like this really puts life into complete and nearly instant focus. I'd gladly trade my home, my cars, my big screen and all the other crap I've been busting my hump for since I graduated college and "entered the real world" for none of this to have happened. But that isn't reality and you can't stop living life for today out of fear for tomorrow.

Trust me, I'm not suffering for not having my S. Will I miss it? Heck yes, I already do. But its a car. And I've owned many cars before it and I'll own many after. I felt a special connection with this car because I think it was engineered so perfectly for what I wanted out of a car. But I'm young (31) with a lot of life to live and plenty of time to get the next shiny, fast as a bat out of hell car that lights my hair on fire.

Right now, at least for me, putting some additional $ in my parents money market account and having the ability to continue to do so on a monthly basis is worth its weight in platinum and then some.

I say this with heartfelt sincerity in the hopes that maybe someone will take something for it. Had my family not been fiscally conservative, this could have been tremendously worse. By avoiding debt (especially credit cards), owning rather than renting, and not living paycheck to paycheck, we're in a much better position to deal with all of this. Finances shouldn't be the focus in an event like this but the only way they're not is if you've planned properly.

Anyway, I digress onto a soapbox.

I intend to check in here every so often because of some of the really good folks that I've exchanged ideas online and/or met in person. I just know its not going to be with the same regularity as before and my avg. ppd is going to plummet

Thanks again for all the good wishes.

Christian "Da Hapa" Asis

 

Christian,

I am sorry to hear of your situation. I can totally understand as my dad had a very severe stroke when I was only 25 and the following year my mother died suddenly from a heart attack, leaving my sister and I to manage with my father on our own... That was 20 years ago now though and people learn to adjust. It can be quite trying but just keep in mind that things will get better eventually. I'm guessing you'll be back in an S again one day too. Good luck.

ron

 

I once listened to an interview with Cokie Roberts of NPR/whatever TV network where she was discussing her decision to put family above career. She talked about how there is no "once in a lifetime opportunity. If your brains, determination, etc. merit an opportunity today, they'll merit another similar opportunity later." (Your brains, determination, hard work, etc. can certainly earn you another car like the S2000 again.)

However, the thing that she said that really hit home after that was, "Your parents are only old once. Your children are only young once."

I think you and your family have grasped this; I wish you well all well.