Our "New" Truck and the Story Behind It

Our "New" Truck...Papa's Truck
(I'll get a better picture of it when I get my camera fixed)

This is our new truck. Well, it isn't actually new at all, but it is new to us. It is a 1999 Ford Ranger. I love this truck, not only because it is a reliable vehicle that provides us a second car, but more so because of the story behind it. We are the third generation in our family to own this truck and I am very excited!

This beautiful Ford Ranger first belonged to my Papa. He bought it brand new the year my Grandmother died. He took very good care of it and got a lot of use out of it for the 8 years he had it. As he got older, he made a responsible choice to stop driving. He eventually gave the truck to my Mom and Dad. Within two years, of handing the truck over he passed away. It was two years ago and 10 years after my Grandmother died. I miss Papa very much and think of him often.

My parents had the truck for about 4 years. It helped them through a tough transition of job changes and moving across the state. It is a reliable truck with lots of memories. Recently my mom bought a Mustang. I joked with her that it is never too late to have a mid-life crisis. But she loves her new car and since they already owned another vehicle they didn't need three. So she offered Papa's truck to us. We quickly and graciously accepted. We only have one car at the moment, so this truly is a blessing.

I secretly always wanted Papa's truck. And even though it is now ours, it will always be Papa's truck, at least to me. There are so many memories associated with it. Papa helped teach me how to drive in it, we would cruise the strip at Myrtle Beach in it, we would visit and get so excited when we saw Papa's truck. I hope that this truck will last another decade or two so Zoey will be able to drive it as well, but I'm not sure if that is a realistic dream. However, it would be cool to see a fourth generation in Papa's truck.

I know Papa would be happy that we have his truck, just like he was happy to give it to my Mom. I am excited to have it and it gives me another way to remember Papa. I am also very thankful that my parents brought it up to us this weekend so we would have it. They also got to see us and Zoey for a little bit, which of course was just a fringe but wonderful benefit. It was a great weekend and I think I have the best parents I could ever ask for.