We've tried to say good-bye before: you and me.
But I kept needing you.
We met 14 years ago...
This shiny newness....neither of us knew what was coming. How our paths would walk together for so long. Your usefulness in so many different ways.
Your reliability: unparalleled.
Your durability: unmatched.
You held my children. All 3.
You allowed them rest. You were there for clapping at parades. For the first big walk around the new neighborhood. For the off-roading of the baseball fields. You were there.
Dear old friend, you were no frills. Not a trendy name; no bells and whistles. I loved you for it. Nothing broke, nothing stolen, just a sturdy companion.
They are 13, 9 and 4 now. Grown enough to walk almost everywhere. And, well....you see, the back of my van is getting full already with folding chairs and sports equipment. We are moving into an entirely new chapter. You were one of the last holds I had on the old one. I loved you for hanging in there so long.
I watched as somebody bought you. I hope and pray that they take good care of you, trusted steed. I pray for their littles, and for this amazing chapter of life they are in. Oh, the chapter of bringing babies into the world. The crazy sleep-deprived diaper/feeding scheduling chapter. But also one filled with amazing discoveries and big surprises (see aforementioned 4 year old). What a joy. What a privilege. What a chapter.
Farewell, old friend.
