The “Juice-mobile”

The final day with the Juice-mobile

A warm hello,

It is the end of an era.  The SUV my late husband Rory and I purchased 8 1/2 years ago when our son was born, was traded in this week.  It was time.

Over the years with carting around children, car pools, soccer games and treks to the beach, I fondly began to refer to our SUV as “The Juice-mobile”.  A dedication to my son’s spills and crumbs and my lack of detailing and TLC of the vehicle.  After a while it was just what it was, a “Juice-mobile” and transportation.  One additional note…it was my husband’s vehicle primarily before he passed.  He loved it and he took care of it.  I remember how happy and pleased he was when he had the vehicle detailed not long before he was admitted to the hospital for the last time.  He never came home from the hospital and never again had the chance to drive what was to become the “Juice-mobile”. 

As much as it was time and I’m thrilled with our new vehicle, there were a range of memories and emotions that came to play as I said goodbye to the “Juice-mobile”.  It was yet another symbol to me of an end to an era, or the end of a chapter.

At the same time, the reality is, the past will always be a part of me and my present and future.  As new chapters in life are written and experienced I take all of it with me.

It can be a challenge for widows (me too!) to change, remove, or give away our late husbands or joint items.  Sometimes, we choose to save and cherish items, and others we lovingly box up or pay forward.

Some of the first items I gave away were some of Rory’s clothes.  There had been an apartment complex fire nearby one of my friends homes.  There were men that had lost all of their material possessions including their clothing.  I lovingly boxed up lots of Rory’s clothing (and kept some of his favorites) and gave them to a needy cause.  I cried, boy did I cry, but in my heart and in my head it was the right thing for me to do. 

Now that 5 years have passed since his death, it may not be as traumatic, but still…

So onto another new chapter.  May we fondly look back to our days and experiences with the “Juice-mobile” and may there be many new and enjoyable experiences “in our new ride” yet to come.

Coach Corner:

Check in with yourself and ask yourself these self-coaching questions about your husband’s belongings.

1.  Am I at peace with what I’ve kept?

2.  Am I at peace with what I’ve changed, discarded or paid forward? 

3.  What if anything do I want to acknowledge or do differently?

Here’s to you.

Warmly,

Colleen

If you are curious about widow coaching, call or email me at 941-739-4853 or colleen76@verizon.net and we can explore if it is right for you.

Tags: Widow Coaching, widow support