Ashley C. Thomas, Ph.D.
THE GRACE TO LET GO
PAGE 74 | MEGA6CREATIONS
One early morning in August 2023, I was involved in a car accident, which required replacing the rear quarter of my car. The body shop gave me a cost estimate and my insurance company said I’d have a rental car for about three weeks. I trusted their word, as it was the only accident, I’d ever been in. I’d had my car for almost 10 years, and it held sentimental value. It was the first car I ever owned, and it had been through so many life changes with me. It never broke down or caused any major issues. Nevertheless, I started feeling ready for something new with less rust and damage. I planned to get another car within a year or two, alongside my current one, and expected the funds for that to come through my working hard and saving up or ideally my coming into a lump sum of money. However, I was surprised when the insurance company informed me that my car was totaled. In fact, I told the lady from the insurance company that the damage cost twice as much as the original estimate. She kindly informed me that these things happen because the body shop didn’t know how much actual damage happened until they dismantled the car; hence, it being called an “estimate.” I would now have to return the rental car earlier than expected. Initially, I was confused because my timeline was way off. I had made up my mind that I was going to drop my car off, have it fixed in about two weeks and when I got my car back, I would pay my deductible and move on about my business. Because I had never been in an accident before, I didn’t really have the framework to consider this possibility ahead of time – but this situation turned out to be an even better, unexpected blessing. The insurance payout was substantial, enough to buy a used car and have money left over. However, when I went to pick up the few remaining items from my car, and saw it taken apart, I teared up. In that moment I realized how attached I had become to a vehicle that wasn’t even my dream car. The only way I could get the funds I needed was to let go of my attachment to my Honda Civic. I could have chosen to dwell on all the memories I had with my faithful car, think about all the dreams I had for its future use – but ultimately that would leave me stuck with an undriveable car and little hope for another vehicle. At some point, I simply had to let go – not just naturally but emotionally as well. The sooner I let go, or released, the old, the sooner I could
