If one could call a car a dear friend, then I would call Beverly the best.
Seems trivial, this I know. But the amount of time we spend in our cars is substantial.
The car that I dubbed Beverly, I had for 8 years. I drove her 190,000 miles, and she hauled boxes and belongings through 5 different moves. She could comfortably fit 2 winged back chairs and ample lengths of crown moulding. Over 90,000 square feet of beadboard, 120,000 square feet of dry wall, and enough secrets to make a Catholic priest blush. She saw me through many an estate sale, and drove me through back roads when I desperately needed some space.
But the day came where the mechanic said her time had come. The work and replacement costs were well over her book value. And when I heard this, I was embarrassed at my feeling of attachment. In my heart, her value was so much greater to me than any book, yet in my mind, I knew that I needed to trade her in. She was the perfect DIY car.
It’s a car, for crying out loud. But the attachment……..
Aye Aye Aye
It’s funny what we hold on to. Naturally, we hold our family and friends so very close to our hearts, but it’s our cars and those back roads that give our thoughts some freedom. Our cars really know just how poorly we sing. Or, how great.
My heart was heavy when I traded her in. The time had come, and my new wheels are spiffy. But Bev had history. New births. New homes. A lot of laughs. Lord knows some secrets. Miles of open roads.
So if cars can be friends, then I dedicate this post to a dear one.
Thank you, Beverly, for the thousands of miles you led me, and the thousands of pounds you hauled. I am grateful for all of those good times, even if I have a heart, and you have a battery.
Beep! Beep!
Jean H says
I kind of felt the same way about my Rav4 and kind of still miss her although I’m loving "Silver", my hybrid Camry that came after "the Rav". Tough to let old friends go.
Sara @ Embracing Destiny says
Well-written! I still have sentimental attachment to my first car, Joey, even though he’s long gone now. I understand exactly what you mean!
Lauren says
Very well written! ❤️
Lauren
http://WWW.TheZenFashionista.Com
Meg Cusumano says
I totally understand…I love my "Angie" she is my first non-Mom car. I am going to be trading her in pretty soon. She knew I was a rock star with her when I drove on my long drives to work…she allowed me to eat things with her I probably shouldn’t have had, but she kept that between us, and the crumbs in the seat. I love my Angie, and I will probably never have a car that means what she has to me…so I understand your attachment to Beverly, she was a friend, a place to go to clear your head, or in my case, destroy a bag of Doritos when no one was looking…Enjoy your new "spiffy" wheels, be sure to giver her an appropriate name…safe travels Brooke!
Brenda Lynch says
I just bought a new Volvo yesterday!
RashmiChalukya says
Beautifully written Brooke. I can completely relate to your story. We can openly talk about how attached we are to our friends and family. But when you talk about your nonliving possesions people would laugh at you. Though the car may not breathe but the memories with car surely does have life and will be cherished for lifetime.