My Dad's Van.

[FriboRage]

We lost my dad last year and he had a few vehicles... a 93 mazda truck, a 99 ford explorer, and a 2000 dodge grand caravan.

We got rid of the truck right after we lost him, cause it was a 93 with like 5k on it that my dad picked up for cheap, so we like doubled our money on it and had no need for it.
The Explorer we're keeping because in Northeast Pennsylvania, 4wd is very handy for our winters and also it has lots of space in the back for carrying a load.

But the van... we're getting rid of it since we cant afford to keep vehicles we dont need, and the Explorer has more utility to it than the van... just dont need a 7 seater 2wd minivan. Plus minivans are a nightmare to work on for most jobs, it seems.

I just worked on it all day today gettin it running again, cleaned up the battery terminals and charged it up, new air filter, oil change, quick wash.. since the battery was charging all day I just now got to start it and took it for a spin to work the new oil around and get some fresh gas into it.

After driving it though, Im feeling torn. That van was my dad's baby, his home away from home, the only new vehicle he ever owned... he bought it new off the lot in 1999 with 5 miles on it, and it's loaded. Premium sound system, all the bells and whistles. When I sit in it, and drive it... I swear I can hear his voice and see him sitting in the seat next to me like when I was a kid. Oh and it rides like you're floating on a cloud.

I was almost 11 when he bought it, and I spent so much time with him... so many thousands of miles on the road with him and my brother. (my mom stayed home a lot cause she has m.s. and doesnt like to go out a lot.) So many trips everywhere. Nights at the drive-in movies, amusement parks, vacations. Him lecturing me about how kids today have terrible music and how lousy the CD is that I asked him to play on the drive is, and why his music is so much better... and me being a non-understanding 13 year old, lol. The van has a distinct smell on the inside of it and whenever I get in it, it immediately reminds me of him, and brings me back, so much of my childhood with my dad. He taught me how to drive in that van. All his CD's, his jacket, his butt can, his messy pile of change, his water bottles in the back... they're all still in there, too.

It really upsets me to see it go, granted it's going to my uncle, his brother-in-law. I just keep thinking that I'll never get to drive it, or even be in it again and that's bothering me, I feel like my mom is giving away one of my dad's proudest trophies or something, and one of my last strong connections to him. I understand the adult reality of it that we need the explorer a lot more, it's a lot more useful... but the van is just so much nicer in both luxury and sentiment.

Meh, I dunno, I guess I just wish I could find a valid excuse to keep it. I know it's not really practical, but it's heart-breaking to part with it.

[Slowpoke]

We lost my dad last year and he had a few vehicles... a 93 mazda truck, a 99 ford explorer, and a 2000 dodge grand caravan.

We got rid of the truck right after we lost him, cause it was a 93 with like 5k on it that my dad picked up for cheap, so we like doubled our money on it and had no need for it.
The Explorer we're keeping because in Northeast Pennsylvania, 4wd is very handy for our winters and also it has lots of space in the back for carrying a load.

But the van... we're getting rid of it since we cant afford to keep vehicles we dont need, and the Explorer has more utility to it than the van... just dont need a 7 seater 2wd minivan. Plus minivans are a nightmare to work on for most jobs, it seems.

I just worked on it all day today gettin it running again, cleaned up the battery terminals and charged it up, new air filter, oil change, quick wash.. since the battery was charging all day I just now got to start it and took it for a spin to work the new oil around and get some fresh gas into it.

After driving it though, Im feeling torn. That van was my dad's baby, his home away from home, the only new vehicle he ever owned... he bought it new off the lot in 1999 with 5 miles on it, and it's loaded. Premium sound system, all the bells and whistles. When I sit in it, and drive it... I swear I can hear his voice and see him sitting in the seat next to me like when I was a kid. Oh and it rides like you're floating on a cloud.

I was almost 11 when he bought it, and I spent so much time with him... so many thousands of miles on the road with him and my brother. (my mom stayed home a lot cause she has m.s. and doesnt like to go out a lot.) So many trips everywhere. Nights at the drive-in movies, amusement parks, vacations. Him lecturing me about how kids today have terrible music and how lousy the CD is that I asked him to play on the drive is, and why his music is so much better... and me being a non-understanding 13 year old, lol. The van has a distinct smell on the inside of it and whenever I get in it, it immediately reminds me of him, and brings me back, so much of my childhood with my dad. He taught me how to drive in that van. All his CD's, his jacket, his butt can, his messy pile of change, his water bottles in the back... they're all still in there, too.

It really upsets me to see it go, granted it's going to my uncle, his brother-in-law. I just keep thinking that I'll never get to drive it, or even be in it again and that's bothering me, I feel like my mom is giving away one of my dad's proudest trophies or something, and one of my last strong connections to him. I understand the adult reality of it that we need the explorer a lot more, it's a lot more useful... but the van is just so much nicer in both luxury and sentiment.

Meh, I dunno, I guess I just wish I could find a valid excuse to keep it. I know it's not really practical, but it's heart-breaking to part with it.

I can't even pretend to understand what you're going through. I can say however that as the years pass, the van will fade, as with all material things. The memories of your father though will always be there. Maybe take something from the van that will give you comfort?

[Big Dave]

No, no, god no... Either find ANY way to keep the van, or let the whole thing go... Do NOT keep something to stare at and constantly make you think about how you should have kept it... Any reminder of the van will just make you wish you could drive it, and make you feel sad you can't... If you can keep it, and you would like to, do it... If you can't keep it, realize that's ok too... After all, it's not your car, it's your dads... There's no wrong outcome... I've lost a lot of people and this is just what I've learned... If nothing else, don't do anything without giving yourself a chance to think about it...

[Sven the Sexman]

That is the saddest story I've ever read. You've gotta keep that van....just gotta.

[EJOUIE]

1. Keep Van.
2. SRT4 swap.
3. Make Van your DD.
4. Sell GP to recoup cost.

[SlowNA06]

The van is just a thing. Write down the thoughts, memories, smells... revisit it. Your brain holds it all in when you think you've forgotten it. Otherwise, I wouldn't normally be this sad after a bottle and a half of wine.

[mechguy]

Thank you for sharing that story.

If the van is too far out of practical reach for keeping, is there anything else of such sentiment instead? Maybe a ring, watch, fishing rod, or book?

[TLSheff]

^ Agreed, thanks for sharing. You just ruined my whole happy day by breaking my heart you jerk... j/k j/k Very sad tho, and I too couldn't begin to try and understand how you feel. If it isn't possible to keep the van I do think you should look for something to keep that is smaller (i.e. "ring, watch, fishing rod, or book"). A whole van is a big keep sake, and you never know, your uncle may treat it with pride and love the same way and later on he may sell it back to you when you can actually maintain it and keep it up in the condition it needs to be in.
Good luck in whatever you decide.