Nice to meet you @humanearl I have enough life experience to wonder if this didn't happen for a reason. Over and over unfortunate things have happened in my own life only to turn out to be better for me in the end.
Who knows? that car may have ended your life. But instead, it was taken away, allowing your amazing daughter to continue having you in her life. There are stories like: People being late for work (and worried about being fired) on 911... Folks losing a chance at a once-in-a-lifetime voyage on The Titanic... and so on. While not suggesting this is on that scale, you just never know.
https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/canceled-titanic-passages.html
I've seen enough of it in my own life that when a setback comes I turn it into a positive in the case that it may have prevented something even worse from occurring. This attitude frees me from being weighed down by disappointment and I hope it gives you some solace as well.
You may not have that car but you do have your wife and that wonderful little girl. Inspire her and let her grow into the strong successful woman you know she'll be. Blessings to you all. :)
This is the comment of the day. Love this so much and I understand clearly. In the moment it is hard to see things with that perspective but now that you have said it then I realize and am reassured that everything happens for some purpose.
And it's interesting you mentioned 9/11. My cousin who lives in New York actually was supposed to get on one of those flights but she missed it for some reason. She may have initially been frustrated that she missed it but looking back it is a blessing that she did miss it.
Thanks for your wisdom and insight @evernoticethat