Old Bess behind me in old picture. Should have taken one today before she left!
Old Bess
Who would have thought that giving up an old car would be traumatic?
But what if the car is 25 years old and carried you through many icy winters and your kayak in the summers?
What if that old car symbolized a whole section of your life—like the bridge from past to present?
Old Bess, my 1995 Explorer was that to me. Today, Union Gospel Mission came to pick her up. I could not watch the driver load Old Bess on his trailer or take her away.
Old Bess has served me well. I wonder if anyone could truly say that about me?
Letting Go
As we did the title work this morning that transferred Old Bess to UGM from me, the driver told me a story of another family who gave up their vehicle.
A single mom and her daughters had memories that revolved around their van. The girls had been brought home from the hospital after birth in that van, and life had been lived as the girls grew up. As they gave up their vehicle, they wrote a goodbye letter (now why didn’t I think of that?) letting the next owner know it was loved. They also put in it a small Bible and a Cross for the next family.
In letting go of their car with its memories, this family passed on a legacy of faith to a new family.
Even though I didn’t do those things, I know sending Old Bess to UGM was the right thing to do. Old Bess is a legacy, even without a letter. Once repairs are made to her innards, she will be sold. The funds will go to honor God as lives are saved and redirected to Him.
I can’t think of a better legacy.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17 NKJV).
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NKJV).
Sorry you had to part ways with Bess. I trust the next owner/family – who may have been praying fervently for a vehicle – will receive the benefits of your decision to let Bess go.
Amen, Mary. Amen.
Oh I recognize that wrenching goodbye to the trusted vehicle that has carried you faithfully through various times and weathers. I am quietly glad to think of it being retrofitted for the next owner. Long may it serve them!
And may your next wheels be a blessing in every way.
Laurie, yes, indeed! Memories do get us attached to things! I know God has a good plan for Old Bess.