Check out this beauty! I bought this car for my mother 20 years ago. It was one of the first purchases I made after my company was sold in 2004. Buying this car for my mother was one of the proudest moments of my life. When I was growing up, we never had a reliable vehicle. We had one beat-down model after another, each one constantly in the shop…from the green LTD to the purple Scirocco. I knew the MTA bus schedule by heart, as did every member of my family. This car was a big deal. One of my brothers pitched in, and we surprised my mother with it. It was the closest I’ve ever seen her to crying. I chose this model because it was reliable, affordable and just the right size for her. It was the first and only new car my mother would ever own. When she passed last year, I thought about selling it. Instead, I kept it for my teen children who were heading into their driving years. I never planned to provide a vehicle for my kids but, this one, at twenty years old, needed some serious work. I bought top of the line tires, a new battery, and paid for the registration. After that, they were on their own. My son just got his driver's license. The freedom! For him and for me. He cleaned the car, inside and out. It hadn’t seen soap in twenty years. The ceiling fabric was falling down, and it needed a serious deep clean. He buffed the outside and declared, “it’s perfect.” Hard work comes in many forms, in this case it was making an old car new again. I’m hoping I found the right balance here. #hardwork #payingitforward #kindness
Cari Wright
1mo
Curious to know how many miles? Also, does your son pay the insurance?
Laura Wiegmann
1mo
Laura, it is entirely right to hold on to such an impactful item in our lives, and even to share it with the kids. You gave him more than you intended; that is you gave him a car. But you also gave him a sense of history in that specific car, something for which he will need to work to keep it on the road, and an understanding that there is also blessing and grace in life. It isn't as much what you give that is right or wrong (unless it is constant and excessive) so much as the spirit it is given with, and the instruction and discussion that point them in the right direction along with it. I believe he will be grateful for the gift, and it will show him that you love him and believe in him.
Cari Wright
1mo
Couldn't stop without adding another 2 cents. I read this book Grown and Flown, joined a Facebook group with parents from all over the country. I initiated a state networking group for my home state Maryland. It was an awesome experience. I'd offer to send the book to you but I think I gave it to a friend. I saw on my Amazon order history that I purchased it April 2020, during the pandemic and my daughter's senior high school year. That was rough for me -- letting go of a 17 yo during mask mandate to live on campus, 1.5 hrs away, and attend virtual classes from her dorm room . Get the hardback! 😊 Grown and Flown: How to Support Your Teen, Stay Close as a Family, and Raise Independent Adults https://a.co/d/09wasuF4 https://m.facebook.com/grownandflown/ Laura Neumann please feel free to reach out. Our kids are only 5 years apart but there is a lot to learn, IMHO. I wish I would have read the book earlier. Best wishes!
Your stories have touched me so deeply. If all of us were as transparent maybe we would not have to pretend we have everything under control and no pain from our past.
Chris Scherer
1mo
So many great lessons in this story. The hard work definitely pays off and it looks like your children will carry with them similar strengths.
Jim Adkins
1mo
Laura Neuman, loving the picture of that shiny car and your son. I look forward to your human based stories every week. When my Mother passed, she had asked me to give her car to my youngest son, and he cherished that car, like his Grandmother.
Sonia Smith
1mo
I love this!!!! ❤️
Chelsea Scott
1mo
This is Beautiful! Thank you for Sharing your Healing journey with us. So glad to see that your son values what you have done. 🤗❤️
Brings me back to my first car.
Luxury Professional Home Organizing and Concierge Moving Service
1moWhat a heartwarming story Laura Neuman! 🌟 This car isn’t just a vehicle; it’s a cherished piece of your family’s history, and I can feel the pride and love that went into keeping it in the family. Your mother must have been so touched by your gesture, and now it’s wonderful to see it passed on to the next generation. Your son’s dedication to cleaning and restoring it is a perfect example of how we can preserve the things that matter to us through hard work and care. It reminds me of how we help our clients rediscover the beauty and functionality of their spaces through thoughtful organization and maintenance. It’s incredible how personal touches like this can create lasting family memories. Here’s to many more years of happy driving for your son—and to the legacy of this special car! 🚗💫