This has been a rough week. It might look different to most of you, but for me it’s just another reminder of the test of time. Many years ago I bought a car from Joanne Rodriguez. Joanne’s husband Alva had passed away and he, like me, was a car guy. At the time I was driving my kids back and forth to school, and that car sat in front of their house with a “For Sale” sign.
I had been taking my sons to school in my pickup and gas was not cheap for a 1956 Ford pickup. On my way to pick up one of their classmates, I would see that 1999 Audi A-6 everyday going to school. Lorraine and I talked about it and we decided to make an offer. Joanne wanted a little more money than I had to spend, but with some discussion we decided we would make an offer. It was such a beautiful car, and I loved it.
To answer my prayer, Joanne said she would give me a good deal as she didn’t drive the Audi very much anymore. She also knew that I would take good care in honor of Alva. I asked if there were any extras available and she said she had not done anything but have the car serviced at the appropriate times because Alva always kept the car in great condition.
I bought that car over 20-plus years ago. I drove that car for a few thousand miles when I received an email from a group of Audi fans that designed and sold blowers to enhance the speed and handling of the Audi. I should point out that at the time I had a job that required trips to Southern California to deal with customers that I sold produce equipment to. I hated that I had to go south, but I loved driving that Audi. I started to install a sound system, but the installer said I had a great system already installed by the factory.
I never had a problem with that car. However, there were things that had to be changed, but I could do all that myself. I was so proud of that car. Year after year small things would begin to happen and I would have it repaired, which brings me to today. As you all know, California requires a smog certification. I took it to the required location and it would not pass. I tried everything. When I bought the car, it had 75,000 miles, now it has 355,000 miles.
I was told that it wasn’t worth the money it would cost to make it acceptable to the minions up in Sacramento. I was completely sad that I had to get rid of the car. Of course my love held me close and told me everything would be all right. She pointed out that I had a perfectly acceptable pickup sitting in the garage. It was time to get it back on the road. After all I have spent the last year getting it back, so I could drive it again. Since I bought this pickup the week before I was discharged from the Army, I had been working it during all this time and she was correct.
I loved that Audi and hated letting go, but I have a great pickup just gathering dust. It was just too hard for me to take the Audi to the wrecking yard near Salinas. Lorraine suggested, “Why not give it away.” I looked at her like she had fallen out of the car until she mentioned that I could be helping former soldiers, first responders and survivors of 9/11. Once again I knew why I had married my Lovely Lorraine. I asked her to make it happen, and even as I wiped a tear or two, I took her advice and called Tunnels to Towers and had them come by and take it away. I’m hoping that somehow the folks that help these survivors from that terrible day will help a few folks.
I know that I felt better as I usually do when listening to my bride. So I said goodbye to my Audi this week, which may sound silly to some. But to me that car will be a part of my family history.
Lastly I would like to say something about the young man who was taken this week. I didn’t know much about Charlie Kirk. But Lorraine had been following him for a number of years. It hit her hard. She didn’t know him, but he was the same age as our oldest son. He had a wife and two small children who will never see him again. For what.
I don’t care who you are or what you believe. This country was founded so that YOU have a right to speak freely. I may not always agree with what you say and you may not always agree with me. But that is what I fought for. You know I would be lying if I told you that it doesn’t bother me when I’m called out for some of my scribbling. But I am also grateful that we can have a dialogue and that our editor allows it.
But I will also say that it is important to be respectful and remember that this is the greatest country in the world. As long as I am capable, I will continue to fight for everyone to express themselves, and I hope that you will allow me to do the same. Have a great week.
God Bless.
