A new life with a VW Van

[Tracy Oliver]

I found my dream van for sale on thesamba.com.  It was an automatic 87 Weekender.  Very nice for an excellent price and not far from where I live. Turned out my step dad even did some work on it and knew him. So I decided to sell my car to get it.  The owner wanted me to have it but someone was coming in from Pittsburg.  Turned out when I was in the process of selling my car the guy was driving my dream van back to Pittsburg.  Well, my step father had an 87 Westy at his VW shop but it wasnt an automatic and the engine needed rebuilt.  I liked the color and but didnt really want a camper or a manual transmission.  But, I bought it anyway and now my step dad is rebuilding the engine with all new parts.  So now I guess you can say I'm a lady in waiting.  I sold my car and waiting on my van.  I'm actually getting excited about going camping.  As a kid we would go camping every summer.  It was the best childhood memories I have.  It's kind of bitter sweet.  I just lost my daughter on January 6th.  We had her funeral on her 21st birthday.  I wanted to have a van before but my daughter was disabled and not able to get in a car high up.  Marissa had down syndrome and diabetes etc.  She was a huge part in my life.  I was 18 when I got pregnant with her.  I was 20 when I got pregnant with my son.  I raised them without their father.  Now she is gone and I have a van.  I've been using it as an escape goat.  Thinking about camping and traveling.  About fixing it up.  Maybe driving it to a couple of different art schools I'm trying to get a scholarship for.  Just 2 week classes but would be a creative way to deal with my grief.  Both places in Gatlinburg, Tn and in North Carolina have camp sites.  So I could camp out there.  

So, I guess this is me.  Trying to find my way in this new life with a VW Van without my best friend :)

[Angela]

I'm so sorry about your daughter. You have very positive outlook, and lots of fun ahead of you. Have a blast - you've earned it!

[Tracy Oliver]

Thank you, I also have a blog where I share about my faith and how it is getting me through this grief.

http://adayinfaith.blogspot.com/