It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye

I am one of those people who fall for inanimate objects. When I was about seven, I bought a stuffed animal at The Christmas Tree Shops solely because it had a defect. There were a ton in the bin and I was so worried that no one would take the little kitty home and it would end up in a dumpster somewhere. I slept with that kitty for a very long time. I remembered feeling like I had done a good deed.

I have not come very far. Don’t worry, I am not a hoarder or anything. I generally stay away from stuffed animals (although I do have a collection of Beanie Babies I cannot bring myself to get rid of) and other similar things. I started giving some of the animals to the dogs but they like to rip them up so a little piece of my heart goes when I hear a seam tear or find a pile of fluff in the living room. Anyway, I did have a moment of heartbreak this weekend in the same genre. I got a new car which meant I was leaving the old one behind.

This was the first car I ever actually OWNED. We actually had the title in our hot little hands for awhile. It was the first car I felt I had complete control over when making the decision what to get. I loved my car and took care of it. It had a ‘Woof” sticker, a “mutt” magnet and an “AXA” sticker for Anguilla (very unique). I was not ready to let it go this weekend. I really thought I would just get it fixed and I’d be on my merry way. Well, six hours later after working the numbers I had a new car. I never got the chance to say goodbye to my Pilot or prepare myself for giving him up. I just had to clear him out and take off my ‘Mutt’ magnet, leaving the stickers and hand over my keys. At one point I even felt like we were stealing a dead man’s wallet as we removed the wheel locks to put on the new car.

We sat by the window and finished up the paperwork. I looked outside wistfully at my car and hoped that after a a paint job and an alignment fix that the next person would like him as much as I did.

I am teary-eyed. Yes, I am that person.

(it’s the silver one all the way to the left *snif*)

http://www.blogger.com/profile/16794387734217000502 Los

I had a similar moment with my Tiburon last year when we gave it up for a new car … I got her in 1997 (called her Tibby). She was great – logged over 140,000 miles, had a cable guy fall on the roof, and never, ever complained or let me down.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744 Sue

I am that person who hems and haws over which stuffed animal to pick because I know (and you know) that it is very hard to leave a deformed stuffed animal on a shelf because who is going to want it?

Hope you new car at least has a nice new car smell
http://www.blogger.com/profile/11771871442051868808 paige

I am that person, too. I get so attached to inanimate objects. I remember trading in the mustang I had for 10 years. It was bittersweet – I got a cute little convertible, but I really, really missed that old falling apart car. I feel your pain.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/03517190745892738872 honkeie2

My Ford station wagon was mine and I loved it to death. It had lots of memories attached to it and it was hard saying good bye.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/04820474434570491220 Mj

my husband is that person…he saw his brown Buick..well, “put down”..he had tears in his eyes that day and it made me love him just a little more….it's kinda sweet. but, i don't understand it completely??
Bill B

I am bidding my 1992 k-1500 silverado farewell today. I never knew it would be this difficult to say goodbye. I bought the truck back in 2001 with 140,600…..now has (238,400)…when I was 22….it is my first vehicle as I perviously lived in an area where public transporation was the way to go. Fast forward 9 years later….I am saying goodbye to not just a vehicle, but a box of memories….a direct link to the best years of my life. I wish I had the time and the money to meet all of its needs, but right now my financial situation doesn't allow it. I feel like I'm saying goodbye to my best friend…as crazy as it may sound