December 19

Today is one of those grim dates on the calendar. Some are universal, like December 7, and others are more privately held days of gloom. I suppose I have now grown accustomed to terrible news in late December. It happened in 2009 with Saab. It happened once and for all time—from my perspective—on December 19, 2011.

So much has happened since that fateful day. We at Charles River Saab put together a “We are Many, We are Saab” date at the store. We made the decision to stay in the Saab business. Then it was decided that we would maintain the business and close the Arsenal Street, Watertown location and move the operation to Boston Volvo. We had a wonderful going away party. Then it was over. It all happened so fast.

By the time the move was done, I knew that my time with Saab was coming to an end. I took a position, in mid-July, with Singer Subaru in southern New Hampshire. While we worked so very hard to relocate all of the personnel from Charles River Saab, some of those moves did not work out and I do have regrets in that regard. Still, there were some positive outcomes.

Charles River Saab within Boston Volvo continues to thrive and serve the Saab community in Boston. We pulled off a great Swedish Car Day 2012 and though we anticipated it being the last such event, it will live on. There are still lots of Saabs in my driveway, but my life, and that of all my Saab friends, is very different than it was a year ago. I am very happy with my new position, but wonder if I will ever revere Subaru the way I grew to love Saab.

Life goes on. December 19 will always be a grim date, but it only graces our calendar once each year.

A Merry Christmas and Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to all.