You'd think I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. And I couldn't, but sometimes that sentimentality creeps in without my knowledge, let alone my permission. This car. This car who had grown to be unreliable, which, when you have 6 small kids, is absolutely unacceptable, even with AAA and a cell phone. She was old. Older than any of our children.
What?! Yes, we had a minivan even before we had any children, much to the embarrassment of Ryan. Okay, and I'll admit I wasn't too keen on the idea, but when we got married and moved miles away from family, we needed harp transportation. This was what fit the harp. (I don't think people realize what a feat it is to tote around such a huge instrument!) So we got a minivan, I had Divine and then a week and 3 days later my mom and I packed up the harp and the 6 lb cutie and drove to Texas through torrential rains. Ryan had flown in to begin graduate school 3 days after Divine was born.
We don't like to tell someone sitting in the front passenger seat that a baby was born there. But she was. Pearl was born on an icy evening, a week late on Lover's Lane in Dallas, Texas. I asked her if she wanted to say good-bye to the car the morning we jump started her (the car, not Pearl) one last time to send her the way of used vehicle land. I knew the answer before the question was asked because Pearl is our most sentimental child. And while I don't typically condone hugging inanimate, metal objects, this seemed fitting, despite the oddity.
It's silly, really. Ridiculous. My mixed reaction, all our mixed reactions. It's just a car.
I guess I'm a bit more sentimental than I thought.
I get the same way about things. The night before my Dad reluctantly sold his VW bug (that he had had for 20+ years including all my life), my sisters and I sat in it listening to music. "Return to Sender" became that cars song and to this day it always reminds me of it. Silly I know, but I completely understand where you are coming from.
ReplyDeleteIts not the car though...its all the memories wrapped up in the car. I get that way about objects, not cars, mind you because I've never owned one....But about old beat up copies of a particular book, an item of clothing... Maybe holding a special goodbye ceremony to the car, take pictures, write down the memories... would make it easier to say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand! This brings back memories of when we brought our old brown Volvo to the junkyard when I was a little girl and my sister and I both cried :). That minivan is full of beautiful family memories. Thankfully, you don't have to get rid of those :)
ReplyDeleteI understand completely! The first car we ever bought new, dubbed "the Bye-Bye" has a special place in the hearts of my two older daughters. It went to Spain and back (uh, yes, on a boat -- i mean it was a great car, but not THAT amazing) then across the country. Every time we see one like it, we still yell, "The Bye-Bye!" I can't even imagine what it will be like when we have to trade in my mini-van. We're a military family, so our cars are one of very few constants in our lives. Happy Trails to your old mini-van!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts! I love your blog and the way you write and even the way you live your life! You're inspirational!!!
ReplyDeleteIris,
From Paris, FRANCE
Matthewandiris.blogspot.com
I totally get it. <3
ReplyDeleteYou are delightful. I love how you tell a story. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWishing your family many happy adventures in the new car!
My husband and I felt the same way when we sold his car a few weeks ago. It was the first car we bought together & we bought it three weeks before our son was born so we could bring him home from the hospital. My husband was ready for a new car (it had turned kind of pink in the sun & it was a hatchback) but we were both a little sad to see it go.
ReplyDeleteWhat a big-hearted family you are. :o)
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense. There's been a lot of stories and memories made in that car.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the new one has it's own adventures coming up...
I have many fond memories of travels, places and moments in the minivan, also. Giggles, songs, tears, naps, snacks, squabbles, scenery, alphabet games and great destinations from gorgeous horse ranches, Disneyland, dirt roads and wonderful times. Thanks for taking me with you.
ReplyDeleteWe own the same car. I hope to get a few more years out of it. Hopefully no babies :) in it. Hope you find another great car. M
ReplyDeleteOh I understand, and I don't have as many years or dramatic memories as you! When we took OUR first car to to be donated for parts I cried because it felt like we were taking a friend to be put down. And I felt really silly about that. :)
ReplyDeleteI get it. I get sentimental about shoes, about certain clothes, jewelry, kitchen utensils, cars too...I so get it.
ReplyDeleteSorry you've had to say good bye to your rock of a car. Hope you find a new friend you like very much! :)
I just read Pearl's birth story. Wow...I TOTALLY get it. I would hug her too. :)
ReplyDeletei don't think it's silly! my youngest sister (last of six siblings) was born in our old station wagon, so when my parents got rid of it a year or two later, of course they had to take a picture of her with it. my husband and i had the EXACT same Nissan Maxima, so they both were breaking down at the same time - we sold them both last year and wow, was it hard when we remembered our first dates in his Maxima, our road trips, our first child, then two, then THREE squished in the back...it was awfully nice to move on to a minivan last year, but letting our Maximas go was like letting our "younger" era pass away. i'm totally sentimental! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the flower and the stories. :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes our things become talismans, evoking an emotional response. I get that.
ReplyDeleteWe are about to farewell our car of seven years. I loved it, but it has had some very costly repairs of late so time to go. It has been with us through thick and thin, Katy. No births in it though ;). That's pretty special.
I totally understand...Im a sentimental being too. I cried when i was 12 because my parents bought themselves new bedroom furniture, and I couldn't bare to see the old one leave our home...I had too many memories of being snuggled in that bed...and so began my crying over things being replaced.
ReplyDeleteThat was when I knew I would love old more than new always..
xxoo
Katy, this was lovely and not at all crazy. We sold our minivan of 12 years with 210,000 miles about 6months ago. I never thought I would miss it, but i do and I"m still looking for the gold Town and Country in the parking lot!!
ReplyDeletewe just got a new car too and yes i cried when i left her. i think of all the hours spent nursing my babies in there. i cant imagine what i would have done if i actually gave birth to one of my babies in it:) cheers to a new car!
ReplyDeleteI know JUST how you feel! We sold our old van last summer, and believe it or not, my youngest was born in its front seat as well!! She was my easiest delivery too :)
ReplyDeleteAnd if you ask us baby catchers we would tell you "she" provided a safe place in the face of an eminent birth.
ReplyDeleteShe is memories, laughter, tears, a safe journey home after long days. Yes I do think "she" was more than just a car.
Is love to hear your amazing birth story someday I'd you'd like to share.
Your birth junkie follower .
I don't think it's silly at all. My brother and I were really sad when Mum and Dad got rid of the first family car. BTW...I always thought that harpists just used whatever harp was at the venue. Makes no sense now that I think about it, because everyone else has their own instruments and how else do you practise?! My friend and I used to go to the orchestra and we joked about the percussionists dragging all their drums around!
ReplyDeleteAwww...I can relate. My third was born in our Saturn and we joked about giving it to her when she turned 16, but we ended up selling it a few months ago. It was a good car, and we definitely didn't mention to the buyer that a baby was born in the passenger seat!
ReplyDeleteGoodbye Pearl's birthcar!
ReplyDeletenow this one i really thought i had commented on. i bet i started and never finished. i wanted to say that this is JUST like me, but surprisingly, i've never actually experienced it with any car. but now i'm thinking maybe it's because i've never really had a car that long. my family always rotated through different cars so fast. and i didn't give birth in any of them...
ReplyDelete