RIP Dodge Minivan

Wow.  I just had no idea the boys would be THIS upset about getting rid of a van that we haven't driven in several years.  We got that van second hand after our full size van that we used for antique shows died an untimely death.  We got it shortly before Leo was born and our friends made fun of us because we suddenly had a minivan with fake wood sides.  It had never occurred to us to equate it with settling down with a family we thought of it solely for antique shows.  Of course that being said it was handy with the guys.  Then Ernie's mother died and we ended up with her much nicer/newer white van.....then my father died and we took his Ford Contour.....then Judi died and we ended up with her Honda.  I know, I know.....other people BUY cars.....we just inherit them. 

Now I must admit I was a tiny bit emotional selling Dad's old car.  I wasn't really all that fond of it but it had meant SO much to him and it was so painful for him to give it up that----just like for him----it meant more to me than mere transportation.  We were happy to sell it to my brother in law though so it felt like it was staying in the family.  We periodically came up with plans to fix this van up and sell it but we've just been overwhelmed with things and we decided to just donate it and get it OUT OF HERE. 

For me that was a good thing----something off our plate, one more thing not to worry about.  Given that the boys hadn't ridden in it for some years....I just never imagined that they would be devastated.  And I thought perhaps most of the tears had been shed last night.  Nope.  The towing company had said they be here before noon so around 8:00 the boys and I headed out to clear it out....pull out the jumper cables, the boxes of cassette tapes (!) and the various detritus that two toddlers leave....  At one point I asked Owen to go in the house and get a bag to put things in....he quavered tearfully, "Mom, I'd like to spend as much time as I can with the van...." so I did it myself.  Next thing you know the tow truck showed up.  It took awhile and some ability to get it out of our abbreviated drive and down the alley to the street.  As they pulled it out both boys stood on the patio, Leo on the back steps and Owen on top of a table, tears streaming down their cheeks.  At the last minute I had told them to take the rear view mirror that was laying in the driver's seat.  Owen clutched it to himself for most of the morning.

Leo was a bit more contained but he spent his share of time in my arms sobbing.  Owen....well, oh my god.....

My babies hate change.  They're MY boys alright....

Later that morning their misery turned them into pissy little creatures so I finally yelled "GET DRESSED WE'RE GETTING OUT OF THE HOUSE."  Owen protested that he would be too sad to get in the other van but they'd pushed me past sympathy so I said, "GET    IN    THE    VAN" and so they did.  I started driving and they asked where we were going.  I confessed I had no idea so we drove a bit in silence before Owen suggested that West Side Park might make us all happier.  As always, he was right.

My sweet peas.

RIP Dodge Minivan.....I have two boys who say you will live in their hearts forever....