Well done, good and faithful vehicle...

Today marks the end of an era.  In 1984, just before Jessi was born, we purchased this 1981 Toyota Corolla from a local dentist.  Our only other vehicle was a Dodge Van with only two seats--driver and passenger.  Obviously that was not going to work with a new baby and carseat!  It's not your luxury model, just the basics:  5 speed, no air conditioning, nothing fancy, just reliability!

Jessi grew up in this car.  She was hauled to the pediatricians, parent/toddler classes, preschool, shopping, trips to Yakima and back and endless trips on weekends to wherever we all decided to adventure to.  Wally took over this car as "his" car when Jessi was about 13 or so.  He used it to drive back and forth to work, but we still used it for long trips.  For camping we put a carrier on the top and hauled our tent and paraphernalia with us.  

The odometer quit years ago, but we estimate is has over 300,000 miles on it.  Other "incidentals" have quit working over time:  the heater was perpetually on, the radio didn't work and the passenger side door wouldn't open so if Wally and I both rode in it, I played "Miss Daisy" and rode in the backseat.  But...it started up first time, every time, every day.  This despite the fact that the radiator leaked like a sieve requiring Wally to fill it with water every morning to get to work and every afternoon to get home.  But it still started; indeed, last year when the battery on my car gave out, his car jump started mine!  The radiator has quit holding water all together, so it's finally time to let it go to its perpetual rest.  We have donated it to World Vision who will come and pick it up with their flatbed.  They were supposed to come yesterday, but didn't make it.  Just as well, I was fighting back tears all evening anticipating watching it being hauled off.  Silly, I know, but it's been a part of our family for so long.  And I'm sad to see it go.