End of an Era

When I was a sophomore in college I went to buy my first car with the assistance of a stack of savings bond and a boost from my parents. The initial plan was to buy a used car but the universe, and my Mom's outgoing personality, conspired and I bought a brand new 1997 Ford Escort sedan in silver. She had 12 miles on her when I drove her off the lot. I put 6 of those miles on her myself test driving. I named my car Stardust (Dusty for short) after my CB handle (yes I grew up in the country and my friends and I all had CBs).
Dusty has gone everywhere with me, surviving winters in Erie, PA and 2 years in Pensacola and Gulf Breeze, FL. She's been in New York City and Washington, D.C. rush hour traffic and up and down the East Coast. She's survived someone putting bathroom cleaner in her gas tank and a Coke being spilled into the gear shift. Dusty has gone through mountains, countryside, cities, interstates and dirt roads and has for the past 10 years been a faithful and steady part of my life.
On Saturday night during a return trip from my parents (a trip we have done 100's of times), Dusty drove her last mile. The lifters went in the car 50 miles from home. I cried while waiting for the tow truck because I knew this was the end of the line.
I will say, she went out in style. We ended up on the side of I79 in a very dark area. Since there were three of us in the car, one of which was on crutches, the tow truck driver did not want to endanger our lives by having us get out of the car to get into our friend's car at that location. All three of us remained in Dusty while she was pulled up onto the flat bed and road a few miles up the road to a gas stations where our friends were waiting and cheering at us like we were in a parade.
Dusty is currently sitting silent in the driveway. I have her listed on Craig's list as a parts car or challenge. She is fixable, only has 130,000 miles, 2 new tires and a new radiator. I just don't have the means to do it myself. If you know anyone who would like to buy her, send them my way. I'll even tow her up to 100 miles for them. In the mean time I have to figure out how to get my next car, a Ford Escape. We've been talking about getting an Escape for 3 months now and there is a part of me that thinks my car died in such a spectacular manner just to push me along on that purchase. I realize now that if she hadn't chosen to bow out, I would never have willingly given her up.
Here's to all the great travels with Dusty. Looking forward to 10 years with another great vehicle.