Kevin Duke of Kentucky was overjoyed to be able to give his daughter her first automobile. He wanted to make sure he got the greatest car possible, so he ended up buying a nice old car. But he had no idea that it wasn’t just “an automobile.” It held a secret that tore at his heartstrings.
Kevin wanted to test the automobile himself because his daughter was only a few weeks away from earning her driver’s license, so he took it for a test drive and meticulously checked it inside and out. He also looked in the glove box, but it wasn’t until he felt a small rubber mat that he realized there was a note inside. “Important Info Inside,” it said, and it was addressed to the new owner.
Nothing could have prepared this parent for what he saw on that piece of paper.
Kevin posted about his strange event on Facebook to share it with his friends.
“Well, I was in it yesterday messing about and I opened this storage container on top of the dash (which I’ve already opened a half dozen times).” This time, I notice a rubber pad at the bottom of it and pull it out for whatever reason. I find this mail with this letter inside, much to my astonishment. I’m not going to lie, I cried a little.”
He even took a picture of the letter. Needless to say, he was moved to tears by it, and no one who read it was spared from crying.
“I simply wanted to let the person who receives this car know what a unique vehicle you’ve purchased.” My mother owned this vehicle. She, along with my 6-year-old daughter and aunt, died in a house fire on February 25, 2015. My mother drove this car for the last time on the day she left us. My daughter and I went shopping and had our hair cut.”
The person who wrote the letter cherished that car, but she had no choice but to sell it.
“For me, this car holds a lot of particular memories.” My house and everything in it is gone, and all I had left to do was touch this car. There was a snafu with the paperwork, which resulted in the automobile not being paid off by insurance. It’s quite painful because I’ve lost my family, my home, and now, through no fault of my own, I’m losing this last link I have with my mother and child.”
That car bore testimony to the joy and great memories made by the previous owner and her family over their memorable journeys. It was a witness to their joys and to times that would never be repeated.
“I’m not angry with you.” I hope you enjoy this vehicle as much as I do. I hope it lasts another 100 years. I’m hoping the backseat is crammed with kids, toys, and other other items. My family crammed a lot of love and other sticky stuff into this automobile. We went on road drives while blasting 80s and country music and rolling down the windows. I can’t tell you how many diapers I’ve changed in the backseat. I’m sure there’s a sucker stick or a crayon somewhere that belonged to my child. Perhaps a whole chicken nugget. HA!”
That car wasn’t the nicest, but the reason for its significance to the woman who sent the letter was.
“I’m not sure if you’ll notice, but there might be a dirty spot on the dashboard.” My kid and I would sit in the driveway and pretend to go on excursions, and she would always place her feet there. My daughter learnt to ride…and crash…her bike a few months before her death in the dent on the rear drivers side fender and the dent in the passenger side door.”
“I understand it’s just a car to you, but it’s so much more to me.” In this car, things happened. In this car, there was love, laughter, and adventure. So now that it’s yours, keep in mind that it’s more than simply a car. It’s only a recollection. This car, with all of its peculiarities, is my family’s final piece. Treat it with respect. Make it a country tune. My daughter’s favorite song was Big Green Tractor, or maybe Lynyrd Skynyrd Freebird. I played that song at their funerals because it meant so much to us.”
“You’re in the company of angels.” My guardian angels. If you want to talk to them, I’m sure they’d be interested in seeing and hearing about any new adventures you have in this car. Sylvia is her name, by the way. When Dr. Hook’s Sylvia’s Mother aired on the radio the same day mom acquired this car, we all rode around and the name just stayed when my daughter stated that’s what we should call the car. So just don’t call her something else.”
“Please try to reach me if you ever want to sell Sylvia.” I’ve recently paid for three funerals, so I can’t afford to buy it right now, but hopefully I’ll be in a better financial position later if you feel she’s no longer right for you. Be joyful, be blessed, and live and love as we did. “All the best to you and Sylvia!”
This story touched many people’s hearts and spoke of the particular struggles that we all face throughout our lives.