Father Discovers Heartbreaking Handwritten Note In Glove Box of Used Car He Bought For His Daughter

For most parents, when it comes time for their teens to start driving, the ordeal may leave a lot of them up all night with worry. It’s always concerning sending your child out into the world in a vehicle capable of so much destruction, not to mention all of the other folks on the road that he or she has to react to. However, whenever we want to get them started on this traditional rite of passage, we try to make sure that they have a reliable and safe vehicle. For this reason, some parents may think it better to buy new, while others go for the old fashioned approach seeking a used vehicle that’s in good working condition.

For Kentucky native Kevin Duke, he purchased a used car for his teen daughter, and as any good dad would do, he wished to test drive it first to make sure there were no problems. However, a shocking surprise awaited the dad when he opened the glove compartment. His daughter’s 16th birthday was still weeks away, giving Kevin plenty of time to give the car a good look over to make sure it was safe. However, when he opened the glove box, he discovered an envelope addressed to the car’s new owner. Kevin would go on to talk more about his discovery in a Facebook post:

“Well, yesterday I’m in it tinkering around and I open this storage compartment on top of the dash (which I’ve opened a half dozen times already). This time I notice a rubber mat in the bottom of it and for whatever reason, I pull it out. To my surprise, I find this envelope with this letter inside. I won’t lie, I shed a few tears.”

The dad also shared photos of the handwritten letter, which went into detail about the previous owner’s history. After reading it, Kevin wasn’ the only one brought to tears, as thousands of folks all over the internet were struck by this powerful note.

The letter begins:

“To the person that gets this car, I just wanted to let you know what a special vehicle you’ve bought. This car belonged to my mom. She passed away Feb. 25, 2015 in a house fire along with my 6 year old daughter and my aunt. The last time my mom drove this car was the day she left us. Her and my daughter went out shopping and got their hair cut.”

We learn that the owner didn’t really want to give up the car. But, under the circumstances, she really didn’t have much of a choice.

“This car holds a lot of special memories for me. My home and everything in it is gone, this car is all that I had left to touch. There was a mix up with paperwork and that’s caused the car not to be paid off by insurance. It’s very upsetting that I have lost my family, my home and now I’m losing this last link I have with my mom and child through no fault of my own.”

The later goes on to talk about all the fun times the previous family had in the car, and the writer sincerely wished for the new owner to experience the same joys in their new vehicle.

“I’m not mad at you. I hope this car is the best car you’ve ever owned. I hope it runs for 100 more years. I hope the backseat is filled with kids and toys and random things. My family filled this car with lots of love and other sticky things. We took road trips, blared 80’s and country music and rolled the windows down. I’ve changed more diapers in the backseat than I can count. There’s probably a sucker stick or a crayon hidden somewhere that belonged to my baby. Maybe an entire chicken nugget. HA!”

The previous owner admits that the car wasn’t perfect, but for reasons that might leave you a bit choked up.

“I don’t know if you’ll see it but there may be a dirty spot on the dash. My daughter and I would pretend to go on adventures while we sat in the driveway and she always put her feet there. The dent on the rear drivers side fender and the dent in the passenger side door are where my daughter learned to ride…and crash…her bike a few months before her death.”

Day 355Title: Little Girl’s Bike

Posted by Vinz Briñas Photography on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The grieving mom continues:

“I know it’s just a car to you, but to me it’s so much more. Life happened in this car. Love, joy and adventure was had in this car. So now that it’s yours, please remember it isn’t just a car. It’s a memory. This car with all its quirks is the last piece of my family. Be nice to it. Play it a country song. Big Green Tractor was my daughter’s favorite song ever, or some Lynyrd Skynyrd Freebird. That song meant so much to us that I played it at their funerals.”

She also reassures Kevin that his daughter won’t be riding alone.

“You’re riding with angels. My angels. Talk to them if you like, I’m sure they’d like to see and hear about any new adventures you take in this car. By the way, her name is Sylvia. The very first day mom got this car, we all rode around and Dr. Hook’s Sylvia’s Mother came on the radio, the name kind of just stuck when my daughter said that’s what we should name the car. So please don’t change her name.”

And she finished her letter with one final heartbreaking request.

“If you ever want to sell Sylvia, please try to find me. I just paid for 3 funerals, I can’t afford to buy it right now, but hopefully I’ll be in a better financial situation if you decide later that she’s just not right for you anymore. Be blessed, be happy, live and love like we did. I wish you and Sylvia the best!”