The Dreams of Youth
Here is the story of someone who's been given a second chance at living their youth, YES, a Do Over! I'm trying to get it right this time!
I graduated from Highland Park High School in Topeka, Kansas, in 1963, and began hoping that life wouldn't take long to get used to. Once I left those hallowed halls, I found that everything changed. There were no more assurances that growing up would be as easy as say, a "pop quiz" in English class.
I found comfort in the joy of living itself, simply for it's unpredictability! There was the challenge of making good decisions based on values I'd learned from my grandparents and aunts and uncles. Then there was the excitement of making my own errors, leading to those "life experiences" we've all had. You know, the gathering of times and trials that help us become the wonderful people we are now.
I feel that our "fondest memories", are those that make us feel useful to others, safe from evil or harm, or just "at peace" within ourselves. "Looking back" to a time gone by, should make us want to get all we can from the present. Remembering that, "The last five minutes will never happen again", should not only lead us to cherish the moments that have past forever, but affirm our commitment to gather all the value we can, from the very act of "living life to the fullest".
I want to share with you just what it means to have this 1949 Ford Coupe. Not only is she a part of my life and "past experiences"; ... she is a part of me, ... as I am within!.
After I had raised a shorthorn calf, as my senior project in Vocational Agriculture class, I sold it to butcher, and paid $110 buy my FIRST car; a 1949 Ford Custom
Club Coupe, and I loved that car!
Soon came one night on South Topeka Blvd, when we were both quite proud of our victory in a road race, between us and a 1955 Chevrolet BelAir. The race also won us a speeding ticket! The first and only speeding ticket we would get, ... together!
You see my stepfather's idea was to, "teach you a lesson", so he sold my car and kept the money! That pretty much set the tone for the rest of our lives.
I've stopped hating him now, I simply pity him, ... I regret he had such a miserable life, ... that he would do such harm to me, ... physically and emotionally.
I have a loving wife now and to paraphrase the song, "If Tomorrow Never Comes", she'll know how much I love her. I have been blessed and I know it.
I believe the quality of our life, from birth to death, is ultimately affected by the decisions we make. Like deciding to "do the right thing" instead of taking the easy, lazy way out, or just "going along for the ride"! That's what makes the ride more meaningful! You know, deciding to do good, not evil, gives us its own reward..
Oh don't get me wrong, I've made plenty of BAD decisions, and since it seems to be the "gift of being human", I will probably make more. I do intend to learn from those mistakes and do all I can to assure they do no harm those I care about.
I'd best get back to the relationship I have with Emma Jean. Let's just say, 'She needed me and I was able to come. (her name just came to me one afternoon as I was getting ready to check her oil.)
I graduated from Highland Park High School in Topeka, Kansas, in 1963, and began hoping that life wouldn't take long to get used to. Once I left those hallowed halls, I found that everything changed. There were no more assurances that growing up would be as easy as say, a "pop quiz" in English class.
I found comfort in the joy of living itself, simply for it's unpredictability! There was the challenge of making good decisions based on values I'd learned from my grandparents and aunts and uncles. Then there was the excitement of making my own errors, leading to those "life experiences" we've all had. You know, the gathering of times and trials that help us become the wonderful people we are now.
I feel that our "fondest memories", are those that make us feel useful to others, safe from evil or harm, or just "at peace" within ourselves. "Looking back" to a time gone by, should make us want to get all we can from the present. Remembering that, "The last five minutes will never happen again", should not only lead us to cherish the moments that have past forever, but affirm our commitment to gather all the value we can, from the very act of "living life to the fullest".
I want to share with you just what it means to have this 1949 Ford Coupe. Not only is she a part of my life and "past experiences"; ... she is a part of me, ... as I am within!.
After I had raised a shorthorn calf, as my senior project in Vocational Agriculture class, I sold it to butcher, and paid $110 buy my FIRST car; a 1949 Ford Custom
Club Coupe, and I loved that car!
Soon came one night on South Topeka Blvd, when we were both quite proud of our victory in a road race, between us and a 1955 Chevrolet BelAir. The race also won us a speeding ticket! The first and only speeding ticket we would get, ... together!
You see my stepfather's idea was to, "teach you a lesson", so he sold my car and kept the money! That pretty much set the tone for the rest of our lives.
I've stopped hating him now, I simply pity him, ... I regret he had such a miserable life, ... that he would do such harm to me, ... physically and emotionally.
I have a loving wife now and to paraphrase the song, "If Tomorrow Never Comes", she'll know how much I love her. I have been blessed and I know it.
I believe the quality of our life, from birth to death, is ultimately affected by the decisions we make. Like deciding to "do the right thing" instead of taking the easy, lazy way out, or just "going along for the ride"! That's what makes the ride more meaningful! You know, deciding to do good, not evil, gives us its own reward..
Oh don't get me wrong, I've made plenty of BAD decisions, and since it seems to be the "gift of being human", I will probably make more. I do intend to learn from those mistakes and do all I can to assure they do no harm those I care about.
I'd best get back to the relationship I have with Emma Jean. Let's just say, 'She needed me and I was able to come. (her name just came to me one afternoon as I was getting ready to check her oil.)
meet Emma Jean, ... "The Coupe".
After leaving high school, I thought alot about how I would find another '49 coupe and finish the car, just the way I might have when I was young! It would be an "Old School Hot-Rod" and represent those cars so popular with the youths of the late 1950's and early '60's! It took nearly 50 years to find but I know she's the right one.
During November 2009 I found this little car listed on eBay, by the St. Louis Car Museum! At right is the first picture I saw of Emma Jean. More than fifty two pictures were presented and there was a reserve price set. I watched other bidders sorta crept up their bids. I thought, 'what are ya waiting for! If ya want it, just buy it!
WELL; I called the museum and asked the reserve price.They told me. I let them know I would buy the car and they could close the auction. I honestly had no idea where I would get the money. I just knew I had to have this car.
In the coming weeks, I came to know just how quickly one's dream can turn into nightmare! I was to understand just how naive I was, in the purchase of the car and that some people just CAN'T BE TRUSTED!!
During November 2009 I found this little car listed on eBay, by the St. Louis Car Museum! At right is the first picture I saw of Emma Jean. More than fifty two pictures were presented and there was a reserve price set. I watched other bidders sorta crept up their bids. I thought, 'what are ya waiting for! If ya want it, just buy it!
WELL; I called the museum and asked the reserve price.They told me. I let them know I would buy the car and they could close the auction. I honestly had no idea where I would get the money. I just knew I had to have this car.
In the coming weeks, I came to know just how quickly one's dream can turn into nightmare! I was to understand just how naive I was, in the purchase of the car and that some people just CAN'T BE TRUSTED!!
Thanksgiving week 2009, we drove to St. Louis Car Museum to pickup the car. It was cold, damp, dreary weather in St. Louis. Raining, then snow, then rain again. I was glad to be there and hurried inside to see the car for the first time. I introduced myself to staff and told them why I had come. I met John Sherman and was shown to the showroom of the museum.
Rainy, Cold, miserable weather in St. Louis when we arrived Nov. 23, 09. This is the sales rep for the museum, John
The First Time I Saw Her Face.
When we got to the showroom I saw my Emma Jean, for the firts time, and it was as if she was just
waiting for me to get there. She seemed almost excited to see me and I can tell you, I was excited too!
CLICK the image at left, ... you will see the "look on her face" when I came into the room? I have NOT "touched up" this photo in any way. Do you see the look of the headlights? It's as though they were looking at me.
I took three pictures that day but I assure you, I have tatken several hundreds since. To me the only bad picture is the one you DON'T take!
Please continue to other pages but feel free to use the comment section below.
waiting for me to get there. She seemed almost excited to see me and I can tell you, I was excited too!
CLICK the image at left, ... you will see the "look on her face" when I came into the room? I have NOT "touched up" this photo in any way. Do you see the look of the headlights? It's as though they were looking at me.
I took three pictures that day but I assure you, I have tatken several hundreds since. To me the only bad picture is the one you DON'T take!
Please continue to other pages but feel free to use the comment section below.
