Touchstone

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“When it’s over, it’s the happy memories that hurt.” – unknown

“This car is packed with memories,” Miss O said as we pulled into the lot of the company we were selling it to.

I’d aimed to sell the car earlier in the day. But it was so old that the title was in my married name. Even with the proper documentation, it took longer than I’d anticipated so I had to return with my kids to finalize the deal.

Miss O was right – the car was packed with memories from the 18 years I owned it. And about a thousand goldfish crackers stuck in the cracks. We’d tried to get all the goldfish out but probably missed at least a dozen.

This was the car I’d trepidatiously drove Miss O home from the hospital in almost ten years ago. And made that same trip with Mr. D about six years ago filled with awe and a little bit of overwhelm. Speaking of family members, it was the car we picked up Cooper the dog in as a puppy two years ago. Miss O sat with him in a box on our lap in the back seat and explained the world, “This is a freeway. That is an airplane. And you are my new best friend.”

It’s carried us, our well-worn hiking shoes, and our stuffies to school, our favorite vacation spots, and the best hiking trails.

The car was the last car of mine that my dad rode in and helped fix. I can still see him taping plastic over the rear window on the driver’s side when it stopped working on a stormy November day.

Along with the goldfish crackers, the car probably has two pounds of dog hair even after we vacuumed and vacuumed. It was the car that carried me to say good-bye to my beloved dog, Biscuit when it was time for him to cross the rainbow bridge at nearly 14 years of age in 2017.

Like all touchstones, the car is just a gateway for all the tender, tense, and touching moments my family has stored in our hearts. Funny how touchstones make feelings so accessible. The car feeling was that life is adventurous, rich, and full of beloved characters we love.

The kids and I hugged the car and walked into the building a little teary-eyed. We sold the car but we are keeping the memories.

(featured photo is of our parking lot car hug)

You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/ and Instagram @wynneleon

I host the How to Share podcast, a podcast about collaboration – in our families, friendships, at work and in the world.

I also co-host the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast, an author, creator and storytelling podcast with the amazing Vicki Atkinson.

90 thoughts on “Touchstone”

  2. I agree, those touchstones carry so many memories of different stages of our lives. Your old car had quite an abundance of touching and poignant moments, beautiful story, Wynne.

    Liked by 3 people

  3. It is amazing how much selling a car drums up so many memories. I remember crying driving Mick’s truck back from the dealership, after having made arrangements to get myself a more affordable one. He had wanted that F-150 SO bad and when he finally got the okay from his accountant, he was ecstatic. At the same time, I had kept my little shitbox for my kids (if ever they decided to take it – you’d think a free car would be a good thing…) It sat for so long, it had to be towed away for scrap. Another bittersweet moment!

    Liked by 2 people

  4. This is such a sweet post. It’s a funny thing about vehicles. When my son was little and we changed vehicles, he cried and wouldn’t get out of the car. He still keeps his vehicles a long time! I gave my faithful Honda Civic to my daughter when I moved to Spain. Ten years later, it is now 27 years old and she is still driving it with love. I completely understand the memories a vehicle can hold.

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  5. I like you having memories with your car. And they are so pleasant to read. Of course I also have some but when I sold my cars I didn’t feel anything. It’s worth to say that I have never owned a car for 18 years!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. That is so impressive that you had this car for 18 years! You must have taken really good care of it. I love how your Miss O introduced your new puppy to the world in the backseat. Precious!

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    1. It was a Toyota that held up well. I made sure to take it in for regular maintenance but it had relatively few other problems.

      Totally agree about Miss O and the puppy! Heart melting!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Totally understand. Bullwinkle, Z-D’s 17 y.o. Lexus SUV, served us well, but had to go [too expensive to maintain]. I hugged the Winkle, as we called him, good-bye with a tear in my eye.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. So many wistful and teary moments as I read. Love the embrace and hug…and I’m still shocked that it’s been two years since that wonderful ride – bringing Cooper home with Miss O. narrating the drive. Oh my. xo! 🥰

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Nice, no great post. You had me welling up with tears about all of the memories associated with our cars. Our cars are more than transportation – they are coffee shops, places to eat, a front seat to a quiet moment, or a funny song, or a white knuckle drive because you are worried about something, or a place where you heard a child tell you about their day. Thank you for sharing and enjoy your new ride making new memories. Peace.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love your list of all the roles our cars play. You nailed it, Clay! That’s so true!

      We are on a road trip through Oregon now so we are already making new memories! Wishing you good travels too!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. A container, like a car, is just a container to an outsider looking in. For those inside, they are countless priceless memories, crumbs of Goldfish crackers and clouds of dog fur. What a bittersweet moment, Wynne – but no doubt, you will all create new loving memories in your new car. 💕🙏

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      1. Oh I’m so jealous and happy for you. Oregon is on our wishlist – the hubby loves The Goonies. Have a wonderful and safe time and look forward to your photos!!!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. The Goonies – that’s so fun. We just drove over the Columbia River yesterday and I was talking with the kids about Astoria. Well, if you come – we’d love to see you!

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  21. What a beautiful post. I can totally relate. Every car we’ve owned, or I owned alone, is filled with memories. That’s because the cars transport us to memory making moments. I love your memory of your daughter speaking to Cooper on the way home.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Pingback: Touchstone – JAMES KEDZE BLOG

  27. so many sweet and bittersweet memories in that car. you clearly all love the things that have happened in that car, the comings and goings of loved ones.

    when I sold my last car, Sylvia, the silver Subaru, who took me so many coummuting miles over the years, it was to someone who also loves Subarus and somehow that made me happy, and especially because he would be driving his sousaphone around in it. isn’t is amazing how we go through things with our cars and they carry the memories right along with them as they roll down the road? now I’m driving matcha, the green Subaru and we’re making new memories, as you all will too, this was a beautiful post .

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Love the sousaphone player – that is so good to know that story! How delightful! You’re right – they carry them with them on new adventures. No wonder we love the Cars movies. 🙂

      Thanks, Beth!

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Miss O’s comment about the car being “packed with memories” is very insightful for a child her age. Imagine if a vehicle could share some of its best and worst memories. I’ve never been particularly attached to any of my cars, but I’ll never forget the first—a pumpkin-orange Chevy Nova. That one holds the most memories.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Some things bring beautiful memories for us. I can see my sister about your feelings, Wynne. She doesn’t want to sell her motorcycle; instead, she beautifies it, as she said, it helps her so much. It’s like there’s sentimental value in it, like you feel in your car.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Praise God. The past was broken, it was a memory, how to forget such a great salvation ahead of us.

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  31. I’ve never read a tribute to a car before, but this would be the best, Wynne! Your words resonated because we kept our Honda CRV for 15 years, our Dodge truck for 16, and we’ve currently had our Honda Pilot for 12! We keep our vehicles because they take good care of us. The goldfish crackers and dog hair made me smile. And your line says it all:

    “It’s carried us, our well-worn hiking shoes, and our stuffies to school, our favorite vacation spots, and the best hiking trails.”

    Love this post! 🥰

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Eagle was loathe to allow us to give away our old VW Golf ten years ago. It’s a big moment. We donated it to a high school shop. We had so many good memories with the VW. Eagle transferred their loyalties to our Volt now and even gave it a holiday card once. Cars can become like miniature homes. We spend so much time going to sport events, meals, grocery stores, on trips…

    Liked by 1 person

  35. Touching. I have my own car memories, Wynne. We all do, I imagine. These days, of course, young people in the city keep rapid transit, Uber, and Lyft alive.

    Liked by 1 person

  37. hahaha; I just got rid of my old car: only bad memories. Glad to see the back of it. Got a new car now. Would like to take it for a spin but the weather is so appalling: heavy rain, 10 degree max. that I’m staying inside cocooned 🙂

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  39. I see by the comments that this story has touched so many people’s hearts, funny how an inanimate thing can become so animate in our lives, possibly because we’re a car culture? I love how your car witnessed so many poignant moments in your lives.

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