You Can't Hug A Car Goodbye

It's time to say goodbye and let go of my Ford Escape. It's just a material object and yet it's so much more than that, which I'm realized as I cleaned it out. Reminiscing about the road I traveled with this car makes it all the more important to me. 

My Ford Escape has been my reliable mode of transportation for 10 years. We've ridden a lot of miles together. E was in a car seat when we bought it. She transitioned into a booster seat and then into the front seat. I remember that transition well. Being able to see her next to me instead of a rear view mirror was a major upgrade. I remember her asking me what the CD player eject button was for. I asked her, "what do you think it is for?" She said, "it ejects you out of the car?" I still laugh thinking about it. A sign of the times. 

I've waiting in traffic, in drive-thru lanes grabbing food on the go, doing nightly bank deposits and at stop lights thousands of times. E and I've waiting in it when it wouldn't start in 20 degree weather. That'll test your patience. I've waiting in my Escape for my toddler to practice dance in pink ballet slippers and I've waiting for my teenager to finish art classes 2 years in a row. 

In my car I've read books, I've sang, I've prayed, I've cried, and I've laughed. I've gotten through my worst days and some of my best days driving in my car. I've taken countless selfies with my family, made videos when I felt inspired. I've sat a little longer to finish a song on the radio or a phone call before moving on to the next moment of my day. 

My escape has taken me home to my parents dozens of times, to my siblings for coffee or puzzle time. It got me to book club once a month for last few years. Always bringing me to occasions with high anticipation for conversations and laughter. And then it brought me home, safely. 

I've given people rides in my car, picked up my nieces and nephews in my car. I've ridden shot gun in this car when Ryan and I would have to carpool. It's saved us time and time again. 

I paid off this car and many other debts as it carried me to work 5 days a week for those 10 years. When I got my Escape I was taking a completely different exit to work each day. I was a different person then. I've grown a lot in the 10 years I've been driving that car.

So much relied on my silver Escape. I relied on my silver Escape. 

You know, you can't hug a car goodbye. But as I remove the stone decor from my rearview mirror and close it's door for the last time I have nothing but gratitude for my Escape. You can't hug a car goodbye, but you can have miles and miles of gratitude for it. 

Always lead with your heart.

- Karlee