I have been meaning to submit a story for a while now but it has been too hard to say the things I need and want to say about my wonderful Dad. I just want to start off by saying that my Dad was my Buddy and my role model - I can't possibly think of a person who is as much fun as him.

But today something happened that is making me pick the stories I want to share. Today Willow Creek Community Church's Automotive ministry came to pick up my car which I have choosen to donate. The car I owned was a green 1993 Mitsubishi Eclipse. It has been a hard day because my car holds many memories that are precious to me. First of all, my Dad purchased this car brand new in 93' - at 13 yrs old I thought it was so cool. A few years passed and I was legally able to drive (which my Dad taught me how - but thats a whole other story). I remember my Dad picked me up from basketball practice one Saturday morning - I got in the car and he says "Want to learn how to drive stick?". Not even giving it a second thought I said "Yeah!". So my Dad drove us to some backroads by our house, where we switched spots. At this point I am extremely excited - but that was about to change! I can clearly remember stalling over and over and my Dad saying "You're going to drop my transmission!!" - He also added another word that he didn't use often! But, typical of my Dad and myself, we didn't give up - He was going to teach me- and that he did - It just may have taken a bit longer than expected. I won't lie, it was a rough afternoon - but I have always looked back on it and laughed - and appreciated my Dad for sticking with me!

A few more years go by and it is the summer of 1998 and I had just graduated from high school and started working full-time. Knowing I needed a car of my own my parents and I discussed the idea of me purchasing the Eclipse - and decided it was a good plan. I can remember the day my Dad called me and told me the Eclipse was mine - He had just purchased a black 98' Honda Prelude. I was so ecstatic! My parents gave me the opportunity to make my first "grown-up" purchase - with no interest! I thought I was so cool at 18 with my very own Mitsubishi Eclipse - I was on top of the world!

There are the little memories with this car: Such as anytime there was a problem with the car I always turned to my Dad for help. We would venture over to Discount Muffler or Discount Tires together and get the problem solved - it was just some of the tons of quality time I have shared with my Dad - I treasure each second.

So that is my story for today - It has been really tough as I just watched my car full of memories of my Dad and I leave - forever. But I know my Dad is patting me on the back saying "It was time for it to go" - we had been discussing it for awhile.