Memorable Moments at Lozano Car Wash

In a nostalgic reflection, a writer recalls the bittersweet memories associated with a local car wash, once a cherished spot shared with their father. The scene is set in a waiting area where parents lift their children onto their shoulders, reminiscent of the writer's own childhood experiences. The car wash served as a backdrop for lessons about cars from a father who, despite his shortcomings, provided moments of connection during his final visit in 2013 while battling cancer. The writer grapples with the complexities of their relationship with their father, who had a troubled past marked by abandonment and financial irresponsibility. The car wash became a sanctuary, a place where the writer could escape into memories of a simpler time, before the weight of their father's struggles overshadowed their bond. After the father's death and the scattering of his ashes in the Pacific Ocean, the writer continued to visit the car wash annually, seeking solace in the familiar environment. However, the writer's recent visit to a new automated car wash, which replaced the beloved Lozano’s, highlights the passage of time and the inevitability of change. As soapy water cascades down the windshield, the writer reflects on the dual nature of grief—both a feeling and a place. The loss of Lozano’s symbolizes the loss of a tangible connection to their father, leaving the writer to mourn not only the man he was but also the memories tied to a once-familiar landscape.