BACK WHEN "YOU" WERE "YOU"
 There is a car commercial that shows a teenager learning to drive. In the next sixty seconds we see him go from a boy to a man.  Getting his first car, a little red roadster, going off to college, getting married, having kids and a career. 
The announcer chronicles all of this in verse as the music swells. The spot ends with the man buying a new car( a modern red roadster)  that the announcer says reminds the now middle aged guy "of when you were "you".  
At first I scoffed at the commercial.  It seemed to be saying buying a new car is the secret to surviving a mid life crisis. The secret to throwing off the tired mantle of the old married domesticated man.
 Is that what they're saying to me?  It felt a little annoying and insulting to this old married lady.    Fast forward a few months later to when my 11 year old mommyvan told me in no uncertain terms " I'm not long for this world"  I traded in the van for my own little red roadster.  A 2011 cranberry Nissan Rogue. 
Once behind the wheel, I got it. I understood the feeling of being taken back, to when "you", where "you."
Back to the time when it was only me in my first car.    A time when confidence and optimism coursed through my veins. A time when self doubt was still a stranger to me.
A time before children, and carpools, and the work a day demands.
Now I know how a little red car can take you back to a time when you were different.  For me it not only took me back to when "me was me," but it awakened something in me.  The desire to take out
some of those 30 year old hopes and dreams. To bring them out into the light, dust them off and let them breath.
 Back when you were you.. I remember then, I remember that girl.  She's still part of me. I am excited about getting to know her again.