July 2022, I was almost 49 years old, with my 50th birthday on the horizon. It was a big milestone, and I pondered what I could wish for since I already had everything I needed. The dream of owning a yacht seemed distant, so I searched for a new idea. My son, Eli, would turn 16 in January 2023, and I knew he’d need a car. That’s when it struck me - a car! I playfully debated with Ewurama, my partner in life’s adventures, about whether to get a Bentley or a G-Wagen. She responded with a hint of amusement, saying, “Eiiiii my Ashanti husband.” A few weeks later, Ewurama’s cousin and her husband, theAgyares, visited town, and I couldn’t resist sharing my birthday car dilemma. “Bentley or G-Wagen?” I asked with a chuckle, making it a light-hearted decision. Little did I know that Mansa had a surprise planned. Fast forward to October 10th, a day before my 49th birthday, a FedEx package arrived. I eagerly opened it, revealing “The Birthday Journal” with a framed cover page that read, “Image is Everything: The Bentley vs. The Mercedes G-Wagen.” Mansa’s thoughtful gift elevated my birthday plans. As time passed, it was June 2023 and I was still unsure about my birthday plans. Amid this uncertainty, Ewurama and Araba convinced me to go on a 50th birthday adventure to Las Vegas with my friends. It sounded exciting, but there was a catch - I still needed to decide on a car. A few days later, during a phone call withMansa, she asked if I had chosen a car. To my surprise, I confessed, “No, it won’t be the G-Wagen or the Bentley.”Thosewords hung in the air, andMansa, ever curious, asked, “Any particular reason?” My response, “I don’t like either,” revealed a deeper truth - I hadn’t truly exploredmy interest in these cars. The price had dominated my thoughts, overshadowing the appeal of driving a luxurious masterpiece. From Dreams to RealityThe G-Wagen Experience 46 The Birthday Journal
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