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Saying Goodbye to the Wagon

Today we officially sold the wagon and it made its journey safe and sound to its new home in Missouri. We’ve been talking about selling the wagon for a few months now…sort of half-heartedly. In the beginning we had a little interest in it, but figured maybe it’d be ok not to sell it before the Good Guys car show, July 4th weekend, so we could enjoy it one last time. Matt has been going to the Good Guys for years – long before he had a car old enough to be IN the show. And we’ve been every summer in the wagon, since we got it. It was definitely a high point for us each summer. We both just love everything about it – the old cars cruising through the old fair grounds…the smells of exhaust mixed with fried fair food…the families and folks of all ages out enjoying the cars always touched our hearts. We would spend all day and all night there soaking it all in, even in crazy hot weather!
This year my family came with us to enjoy our last Good Guys in the wagon, and we had such a great time. We posted for sale signs in the car which generated all sorts of interest. We had many conversations with folks about why we were selling it – and Matt was the first to mention our hopes to adopt, surprising many I’m sure. But the people were so supportive and so encouraging to us – whether they wanted to buy the car or not. Our story touched people…and they touched us…in unexpected ways. We had hugs, warm thoughts, and promises for prayers for our future…all from car show strangers. We were humbled once again by the way Matt’s stroke has woven its thread into the lives of so many. We sat talking, as the cars cruised by, about how our life’s story has impacted other people. We don’t think we’re particularly inspirational or unique as we go about our daily routine. But I think our adversity and how we’ve faced it, and continue to face it, speak to other people. And I have to think that’s by design.  While trusting in a larger plan is often difficult and confusing. Every so often we are shown these tiny glimpses of the plan working itself out and when we do – I’m just so amazed.  It’s a hard feeling to describe.  But we feel a bit unworthy that God would choose us to tell such an important story about faith, trust, commitment, and His amazing provisions. It’s just so very humbling.
So here we are, once again, finding ourselves extremely blessed by Matt’s stroke. We had the opportunity to have a wonderful car. To rediscover the part of our lives that enjoys cars and car culture. To participate in that culture again, despite the differences. To recapture the joy in cruising with open windows, and a backseat loaded down with loved ones. We’ve had so much fun in this car – it has meant so much more to me than I was prepared for. It brought back a big piece of Matt and I was hesitant to let it go. And today, I shed a few tears as we walked away from the car – its engine roaring to life with a new owner behind the wheel.

But as I type this now – Matt sits, relaxed, content, reading his Hot Rod magazine and I know he’s already dreaming of the next cruiser and what it will bring to us. Matt is a car guy. Always has been, always will be…and someday in the not-too-distant future he’s confident we’ll have another cruiser to pile in and head on down to the Good Guys.  And God willing it will be loaded down with the most beloved loved one of all…our child. 


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