I’ve had my van since 1999.  With three children and another on the way it wasn’t a choice so much as a necessity.   Despite my lackluster attitude I was quickly won over by the practicality and efficiency of my new car which is how I continue to feel.  However after nearly eleven years, almost 100,000 miles and increasingly frequent repair bills the reality of Goldie’s demise has been unavoidable. 

Giving up Goldie means giving up the wheels that took us safely to the hospital to deliver baby #4 plus innumerable trips to the grocery store, pediatrician’s, church, school, friend’s houses, a happy summer at Hale Reservation, vacations on Cape Cod plus visits to family in Pittsburgh and New York.   It also means giving up the evidence of the $1200 in damage caused by a trapped squirrel which wasn’t funny at the time but got funnier with each retelling.  Like all relationships, however the memories aren’t all good.  This is the van that took me places I never thought I’d go, most notably my divorce attorney’s office and more court appearances than I care to remember.  Consequently, this is also the van that moved us from our beloved home in New England to be closer to family in Florida.  Since our move Goldie has continued to serve us well holding up just long enough for my oldest to learn to drive. 

In spite of the memories I’d happily give up Goldie for more reliable wheels if I could afford to.  Fact is I can’t so when the mechanic called during Christmas break to tell me I needed a new transmission I was face to face with the reality I’ve been avoiding.  What now?  A new transmission would cost more than Goldie is worth (particularly considering the squirrel damage).  I borrowed my sister’s old suburban while I sorted out my options (funny how long that can take when you don’t have any).  In the meantime, my father called to offer his services car shopping.    While seemingly pointless it also seemed the logical thing to do so I agreed.  It never occurred to me he intended to make the purchase for me and the children.  It’s not that he’s not generous it’s just that the idea alone is overwhelming to me.   My father insisted saying he wanted to do something to ease my burden which I reluctantly but gratefully accepted.  After days of online research and visits to local dealerships thanks to my father’s extraordinary generosity we picked up our “new” van yesterday (Syliva).  While certainly not as funny as the squirrel story, the story of how we came to have this van will serve as a regular reminder of my father’s love for me and my children, the power of gestures big and small and the importance of showing compassion for others’ circumstances.  Of all the memories this one of how my father answered my prayer is the one I like best.