I have always liked Albuquerque. The largest city in the Land of Enchantment, it still has a small town atmosphere to it, just like it did 35 years ago when I first moved there. When you talked of motorcycle shops you knew them by their name, but referred to them by who owned them. Gary Guynes owned the newer Kawasaki shop on Juan Tabo. Bobby J, well simple enough, still in business today as Bobby J's Yamaha. The Bodwells owned Motorsport, where I worked as my first job in Albuquerque, and Jake Alcon was the Harley dealer. And for Laverda, and or BSA/Triumph, there was Joe Turney on Lomas, although everyone knew Mary ran the shop. Henry and Ilse Rissman owned the Guzzi shop on north 4th open on Sundays, a rare treat, as all others except for Motorsport kept the traditional closed on Sunday and Monday schedule.
And when you wanted a Suzuki, you would call David at Motorsport. Which is how I had my second contact with the Unser family. The first was through Cindy, Bobby's daughter, who hung out with a group of friends that worked at Montgomery Plaza. But before he was Little Al, he was just Al Unser, Jr., and I sold him his first dirt bike-a 1976 Suzuki RM125. He had called David, and David let me handle the transaction, with him and Al, Sr. Nice people, legends already, and although they had more Indies to win, they were a normal father and son. Albuquerque citizens, who happened to ride-and race. I wonder sometimes how hard it must be to come from a famous family, or one where everybody knows your name. Like Cheers, but on a racing circuit schedule, where winning was everything. Just mention the name Unser in Albuquerque today, and they know who you are talking about-even have a street named after them.
We find a young Jesus, in His early teen years, faced with the same dilemma. He was hanging out in the synagogues, learning and commenting on scripture, with the priests, when they were amazed at His knowledge. "How can Joe the carpenter's kid know so much? His dad is just a yoke builder." Little being said about his real father, or even His birth. Just Joe's kid. Just like Little Al was Big Al's kid. Both with a family lineage the locals could attest to. And we find the Unser legacy going back to Little Al's grandfather, who also was a racing legend, a Pikes Peak hero and record setter. Three generations of Unsers-35 years ago.
Going through the family Bible I got from my grandmother, it has the birth and death records. Just a few short generations ago, the Bible was used for such records, and was taken to be a legal document for them. You could trace genealogies back as far as they were recorded, just by reading the family Bible. And in that Bible, you could also trace the unique genealogies of Joe's kid, Jesus. Through both Mary and him. And they are the most unique genealogies in the world. For when Nero was emperor, he burned Rome, and along with it the libraries and legal records. All records and histories of anyone born before the fire were lost forever, with only the lineage of Jesus of Nazareth remaining, in the Word of God, aka the Bible. A lineage that shows that no one else can prove they go back to King David, or Adam, or anyone in between, but has the royal lineage that scripture foretold of, and that Jesus fulfilled. Josephus and other historians can account for His life via dates and events-but only the Bible takes into account His family lineage. Something to consider next time you decide to step over the long list of begats when reading through the Bible. God put them there for a reason-more proof of the uniqueness of His only, begotten son.
Joe's kid, the carpenter-but much more. And we can be also, when we choose Jesus in our lives. We become adopted sons and daughters-with full inheritance and full riches and glory. We can call God daddy, just like Jesus used to. He wants it that personal. Abba father. And the same heavenly rewards.
Jesus Christ-son of God! King of Kings! And the only man on earth who could ever prove His lineage back to Adam. Wouldn't it make sense to trace your lineage to Him? Who do you say he is? Your answer is a family affair-God's family. Hope I can call you brother-or sister! And yes, you can call Him DAD!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com