When it comes to driving, parents have different reactions at the thought of their children sitting behind the wheel. For some, it could be worrisome just thinking about the safety of their kids while for others, it could be exciting to watch their children drive their way around independently. No matter what they feel about it, at the end of the day, they will make sure that they’ve got their children’s back by teaching them well and assuring them with a safe vehicle.
Kevin Duke, a Kentucky resident, bought a secondhand car for his teen daughter. Just like any other parent, he initially wanted to give it a test drive. However, what surprised him was what he discovered in the car’s glove compartment.
Weeks before his daughter’s 16th birthday, Kevin thoroughly inspected the car and drove it around to ensure it was safe. He also searched the interior as well.
He checked the glove compartment multiple times but it was not until he decided to take out the rubber mat that he found a hidden letter beneath it.
The letter was addressed to the new car owner and says “Important Info Inside.”
Kevin said in his Facebook post:
“Well, yesterday I’m in it tinkering around and I open this storage compartment on top of the dash (which I’ve opened a half dozen times already). This time I notice a rubber mat in the bottom of it and for whatever reason, I pull it out. To my surprise, I find this envelope with this letter inside. I won’t lie, I shed a few tears.”
He posted photos of the handwritten letter on his profile and the content gives a brief background about the previous owners’ story which brought Kevin to tears.
It says:
“To the person that gets this car, I just wanted to let you know what a special vehicle you’ve bought. This car belonged to my mom. She passed away Feb. 25, 2015 in a house fire along with my 6 year old daughter and my aunt. The last time my mom drove this car was the day she left us. Her and my daughter went out shopping and got their hair cut.”
It was clearly against the will of the author of the letter to let go of the car but she’s left with no other choice.
“This car holds a lot of special memories for me. My home and everything in it is gone, this car is all that I had left to touch. There was a mix up with paperwork and that’s caused the car not to be paid off by insurance. It’s very upsetting that I have lost my family, my home and now I’m losing this last link I have with my mom and child through no fault of my own.”
The previous owner had created a lot of fond memories with her family in the car and she wished the new owner the same.
She continued:
“I’m not mad at you. I hope this car is the best car you’ve ever owned. I hope it runs for 100 more years. I hope the backseat is filled with kids and toys and random things. My family filled this car with lots of love and other sticky things. We took road trips, blared 80’s and country music and rolled the windows down. I’ve changed more diapers in the backseat than I can count. There’s probably a sucker stick or a crayon hidden somewhere that belonged to my baby. Maybe an entire chicken nugget. HA!”
The car was not in its best condition but the stories behind it mean so much more than the car’s current state.
“I don’t know if you’ll see it but there may be a dirty spot on the dash. My daughter and I would pretend to go on adventures while we sat in the driveway and she always put her feet there. The dent on the rear drivers side fender and the dent in the passenger side door are where my daughter learned to ride…and crash…her bike a few months before her death.”
The grieving mom explained:
“I know it’s just a car to you, but to me it’s so much more. Life happened in this car. Love, joy and adventure was had in this car. So now that it’s yours, please remember it isn’t just a car. It’s a memory. This car with all its quirks is the last piece of my family. Be nice to it. Play it a country song. Big Green Tractor was my daughter’s favorite song ever, or some Lynyrd Skynyrd Freebird. That song meant so much to us that I played it at their funerals.”
Kevin’s daughter would definitely be guided by the angels of the car as she drives.
“You’re riding with angels. My angels. Talk to them if you like, I’m sure they’d like to see and hear about any new adventures you take in this car. By the way, her name is Sylvia. The very first day mom got this car, we all rode around and Dr. Hook’s Sylvia’s Mother came on the radio, the name kind of just stuck when my daughter said that’s what we should name the car. So please don’t change her name.”
She ended the letter with one final request.
“If you ever want to sell Sylvia, please try to find me. I just paid for 3 funerals, I can’t afford to buy it right now, but hopefully I’ll be in a better financial situation if you decide later that she’s just not right for you anymore. Be blessed, be happy, live and love like we did. I wish you and Sylvia the best!”
Kevin’s Facebook post received thousands of likes and left the internet in tears. The letter was so moving that even Love What Matters shared the story on their page as well.
“I bought my daughter, Jada, a used car a couple weeks ago. Since she doesn’t turn 16 until March, I’m driving it to see…
Posted by Love What Matters on Friday, February 3, 2017
It’s absolutely a heart-tugging letter. May the woman find peace and happiness and Sylvia provides new beautiful memories and experiences.
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