Not "burned out," or "broke down," or even "died." To say our car died would be an understatement. It would not be an adequate description of what happened, nor would it give full credit to the blaze of glory that characterized its last few moments. No- there is really only one way to say it. Our car burned up.
It started with a wisp of smoke from the dashboard, followed by a stream of molten fire onto the passenger side floor, a few loud explosions, shrapnel flying out the window, and then a total conflagration, leaving nothing but a melted out skeleton to remind us of what was once there. The whole thing took only a few minutes- and just like that, it was gone. This car that we have personally driven more than two-hundred-thousand miles- this car that has watched our family grow up- that has provided a setting for so many memories- so many laughs and long nights and stories and mountain passes and dirt roads and petty disputes and intimate conversations- that has been packed to the brim with strollers and diapers and car seats, and then later with camping and skiing equipment, or drum sets, or piles of teenagers on their way to their first real high school dances and football games. The car that never quit. Until it did. This car has been good to us, and it went strong right up until the end. But finally, for reasons still not fully understood, it just caught fire and was done.
It's kind of sad, really.
*****
The car thing is hard to top in terms of things to write about, but affected us very little, all things considered. Rachel is currently driving a rental, we'll get a new car soon, and life goes on as usual. I feel lucky to be in a position where that can be the case.
It was actually a pretty good week though. There were a few kid events that we went to. I think we are finally finished with "spring cleaning." We had our first beach day, and the kids are just a few days away from summer vacation. Rachel and I even had an overnight date, as much for ourselves as for our kids who were begging for us to go so they could make money by babysitting and tending the house. I guess that when kids get behind on phone payments it can actually work to our advantage.
The weather is nice and we are all looking forward to a visit from Grandma Almond this week. We have some fun plans in place.
Here are some photos. Have a good week!
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| This is Addy being inducted into the National Jr. Honor Society. She helped out with a lot of volunteer after-school tutoring as a part of this. |
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| And here is Addy getting recognition for getting top marks from the judges at a saxophone thing she did. Addy- you will always have this- even if the Harry Potter solo was taken from you at the last minute! |
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| I'm pretty sure this is the beginning of a lot of lake days this summer |
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| When we went to the lake there was a pride festival that we didn't know about until we arrived. It was all very family-friendly with lots of swag, live music, and church friends in attendance as volunteers. Fun afternoon. |
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| Kloe and Ev: Everyone should have a friendship like this in their lives. |
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| I feel lucky to have a friend like that in mine :) |
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