Memories are made of these, my Odyssey....

The Odyssey movie is now in theaters, and my daughter sent me a funny reel about how my Honda Odyssey deserves its own movie.

Honestly? She may be right.

I started driving a minivan after the twins were born. This particular Honda Odyssey has been with us for 16 years and has close to 190,000 miles on it. It has been with us through thick and thin. And we gave it as much love as it did give us by doing it's required maintenance.

It carried three growing children to countless school events, concerts, competitions, piano lessons, marching band practices, college visits, and more. It has helped us move children into and out of dorm rooms, and even across state lines. It has crawled through I-95 traffic, survived the George Washington Bridge into New York, and taken us as far north as Acadia National Park, as far south as New Orleans, and on many road trips to Detroit and New York City. It has even crossed the border into Canada.

When I think about it, I feel like I have lived my own odyssey.

These days, the back seats are mostly quiet. The children have grown and flown, but I still miss the laughter, the giggles, the endless chatter, and yes... even the arguing that once filled this van.

Just last week while we were driving back after dropping off one of the kids in a different state, it broke down in the middle of the road, and for a moment I wondered if this was the end of its story. Thankfully, it was repaired, and it's ready for a few more adventures.

If you happen to notice the rosary hanging inside, that has its own story too. My mom gave it to me when I first moved to the United States. It has traveled with me ever since, moving from car to car through every season of life. She's no longer here, but in a small way, she still rides along with me wherever I go. It's mostly symbolic.

And if you're wondering how it still looks so clean inside after all these years... all the credit goes to my husband.

Some people see an old minivan.

I see 16 years of memories on wheels.

Do you own one such vehicle ?

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