Brittany finally got her settlement with the insurance company, and although Jamie and I feel she should have gotten more, she is happy with it.

With the settlement came the hunt for another car, beings her last one was rendered useless by the person who ran into her and then ran away. Jamie and I went with her last Sunday to look at the first of what she claimed would be many, before the final decision and purchase was made.

After we had spent some time looking at the car, which seemed to be a very good deal considering the year and condition of the car, the 3 of us thanked the owner and headed for a nearby restaurant for lunch/dinner. Over our meal we discussed the car, and each gave our impression of the car. Jamie and I liked the car, and thought the price asked and the condition of the car would suit our youngest daughter well. Miss Britt being who she is, and who had taken the lessons of her childhood well, simply stated that she would have to think it over, and consider her finances. We finished our meal and headed towards the grocery store to stock up on supplies. Through this time our daughter remained deep in thought. The price of the car was a tad more than she had hoped to spend, and with the cost of the car ownership transfer, and the transfer of her insurance she was not sure she would have enough. I had already told her that I would lend her a bit of money to put towards a car, if it meant that she would get a car that would be in good enough condition that it would not need to be fixed at every corner, and would run well enough that she nor I would have to worry about her becoming stranded on a dark and lonely road somewhere.

This daughter of mine is very independent and does not like to borrow money from anyone. She likes to make it on her own, but she did understand my reasoning.

Mom, do you think I could borrow 200.00 to put towards the car? This simple statement from my daughter I knew was very hard for her to make. (I was fully prepared, and expected to lend her at least 500.00) - Of course Brittany I stated simply, so as not to wound her already bruised pride.

So it was decided and planned out that Jamie would meet up with our youngest daughter after work on Monday, and together they would do all the legal stuff relating to the car, and pick the car up.

Silly as it seems to buy the first car she looked at we believe that our Miss Britt got a very good deal. The car has no dents, or signs of rust. It runs great... and the previous owner of the car was a wonderful person, which in our books counts for a lot. The car she got is a burgundy, 1993 Chevy Corsica - which other than the color looks very much like the one in the picture at this url...  http://www.autoseekandsell.com/userimages/ACFD0.JPG

And so now, our youngest daughter once again is on the road, and with this Freedom has once again been found, not only for her but for Jamie and I. Jamie and I do not need to happen to be close to her house at the right moment that she needed to leave her house to go to work. We no longer have to happen to be in town, when she leaves work. We no longer just happen to have to go to the grocery store for a few items, and would she like to come along.

Jamie and I have raised very strong, and very independent children. This is a very good thing in our opinion, but with the independence comes pride, which really is not a bad thing, but they are still learning that pride sometimes has to be put aside in order to move forward. A lesson they will all learn over time, and in the mean time Jamie and I will continue parenting in the way we know best, and for this time, with this child it is important that we allow her to carry her pride and independence.

Brittany came out here yesterday afternoon, driving her 'new' car. The smile she had on her face when she walked through the door, and the way she held herself - made this mother's heart very proud!