A huge change in my life occurred last week when I sold Grazelda, my 1996 Volkswagen Harlequin.  Honestly, I never thought I’d do this.  I really thought I’d keep her forever.  FOREVER.  It got to the point, though, that I, not being what you’d call a ‘car person,’ could no longer justify putting money into her care.  Nothing really bad was wrong, at least as far as I knew, but I could not afford to not have a totally reliable car.  So, she has been sitting behind my garage since August, not being driven.  I was pretty much stuck about what to do.  I certainly did not want to sell her, but that became my only option.  What I was very clear about, however, was she had to go to a collector, someone who understood exactly what she is/was.

I saw this quote as I was coming to grips with what I had to do.  Sad hardly describes how I felt through the entire process…it was excruciatingly difficult.  It never really seemed real until I watched her (well, I didn’t actually watch, as that was way too hard) be driven away by her new owner.  The good thing is, I could not have found a more perfect person to buy her if I had waited another 20 years!  Her new owner is so passionate about Volkswagens in general and Harlequins in particular.  (He already owns one, with the yellow base.  Grazelda has a green base.)  He and his father drove down from Seattle, Washington last weekend to pick her up.  I knew, and told him from the start, that there was no way she could make a drive that far, so she was to be towed.  Because Tyler was so incredibly happy to be getting her, I have to say that it helped ease my sadness, to a degree.  BUT, 20 years is a really long time to have a car, especially one that was so unique and fun to drive.  And after having driven a very unique car, I am seriously thinking of putting polka dots on my new car!  How can I possible drive a boring car after one that is the exact opposite of boring?

The trip north on Interstate 5 was not without its own drama.  My take on the trouble is that Grazelda was mad I sold her and let her displeasure be known by losing a wheel.  In the end, though, they made it back and she is in her new forever home.  We are talking Volkswagen people, who will keep her forever and restore her to her original beauty.  I truly could not ask for more.  I am sure I will miss her for the rest of my life and I am happy she is with such a great new family.

This shot of me with her new owner, Tyler, was taken right before they loaded Grazelda up:

And this is me with Grazelda in 1996, when she was brand new: