the end of the road

The first thing we did in 2009 was buy a Honda Odyssey. Most young families see
the purchase of a minivan as a delightless inevitability. We included ourselves in this camp.

However, in short order we found ourselves enamored with the space,
convenience, and family-friendly design. We grew to love our minivan.

We carefully shoveled it out from many a blizzard.

We trusted our minivan to carry us safely and comfortably on more than a dozen cross-country trips.

But mostly it was always there for us, in the background of life,

witnessing many impromptu front porch picnics,

providing a protective buffer for little ones,

 and guarding our family space.

This summer it carried our closest friends away to the airport to live abroad,
but it will not do the same for us because last week we sold it.

As we looked on our beloved van one last time at the dealer parking lot, I would have sworn at that moment, though composed of glass, rubber, and steel, that our van had a soul. And it was definitely female. The girls were sure of it.

We were told to bring a vehicle with four-wheel-drive and a high clearance to Georgia, and the van failed both requirements. So we traded it in for a sporty number in gold. It is definitely cooler than our old van in every way, but let's just say it has a big parking spot to fill.