The passage is about a man who was taught to take care of his things. Later, he realized that natural course of wearing things differs from making things last at any point. Four years ago, his son was diagnosed with ITP, a fatal disease. While his son was hospitalized, he bought a yellow car for him. He knew the car would break, but he still bought it because if the care broke it would mean his son is in good health to play with it. His son's disease came and went, but the writer learned a lesson that things are things and can be replaced if required, but life is invaluable.