You may not wish to admit it, or admit to getting it, but you were born at
just the right time. And all of your recollections are based on that. Think
British motorcycles for instance, born in the early 40's, you can remember
riding one when they reigned supreme, but born in the late 50's, just 15 years
later, and they may not even be a memory, as Honda and the Japanese bikes were
rewriting motorcycle history. And watching as the British motorcycle industry
was in its self destruct mode. So confident were they, they never thought the
Japanese could compete with their little bikes. Until a 250 2-stroke would dust
off a Bonneville, or until a group of them with bags tied to the back seat would
go by on a trip-passing the Norton owner with his bike on its center stand and
his toolkit open. Remember when you didn't change the oil, you just topped it
off? Timing may be the most important thing that figures into your memory
bank. The only bank any of us still have deposits-even after years of
withdrawals.
I watch as a friend buys a Kia, and it is now popular. I remember less
than ten years ago working for a dealer who sold them, and what junk they
were-worse than a Yugo. I also had a friend who was the national service
manager for Yugo. Now those are stories. I had a customer request a rental car
when his Kia self destructed at 40,000 miles-high mileage for one at the time,
and was told by the service manager, "sir, you own a rental car." Times
change-from embarrassment to prestige. Too bad we can't predict the next
trend. If we could, how many of our dads would have bought '57 Chevies, and
kept them as an investment. Born to soon, or grew up too late? We all have
20/20 hindsight.
So today when I go to car shows, you hear talk of orphan cars, brands that
no longer exist. Brands that once stood for something, had solid
reputations-but somehow missed the boat just a few years later. Gone in the
fifties were Packard, Hudson, and Willys-pronounced like "what you talking about
Willis?" Studebaker left in the sixties, and just in the past ten years we no
longer have Plymouth, Oldsmobile, and Mercury. Where before GM was known by its
brands, now GM is a brand, with subclasses of cars made by them. Remember the
furor when Pontiac put an Oldsmobile motor in one of its cars? And didn't tell
the public? And the lawsuits that followed? Gone now are the Oldsmobile men,
Pontiac only owners, and the people who would never buy anything but a
Plymouth. Which was carefully named by Walter P. Chrysler after Plymouth
bailing twine-a brand all farmers knew and respected-not the ship that appeared
on its logo years ago, at Plymouth rock.
Time has also whittled down the Vincent owners, the Norton only crowd, and
thanks to John Bloor, a whole new generation is riding new Triumphs today, not
to be confused with the old Meriden twins. Yes, we were all born into a perfect
time-where all dates past and future hinge on us-before Mike and after Mike in
my case. Yours will be different-not necesssarily better-or worse.
So with so much talk about the welfare of our kids and grand kids, what are
we going to leave them? What legacy do we wish to leave them of us? What will
you find stored in their memory banks in 20 years? Or will they have to reach
for an i-pod to remember, just like they do for a friend's phone number they
don't know?
When sick last summer, and faced with death, I considered what I was
leaving my family. A real wake-up call from God. Was my legacy teaching them
to burp the alphabet, or was it Jesus? Would they be businessmen, or blue
collar workers? Would they marry and have a family of their own, or just live
together, not realizing the damage they were inflicting on their children? What
values did my life lessons show them, or had I just given them a group of
rules-neglecting morals. Would they only remember the punishment, and what
would they pass on to their kids? I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the
things of God they had been shown by us. Heart patients don't need any more
shocks. But I was touched to see the things of God they had seen in us, and
others, come to life. To see compassion and concern for others, and a love for
us that you always hoped was there, but that they seldom showed. They too were
born at just the right time, and I am glad to see a whole new generation living
for Jesus. Not what I would have scripted, but we are not what our parents
would have scripted for us. Once again showing God's timing in when we were
born. And again proving God knows of what He is doing-despite our advice.
It is very possible we may be the last generation before the rapture. What
a memory to take to heaven. But if we are not, morals and a relationship with
God through Jesus are still the most important. If you once walked with Him,
return to Him today. All is forgiven. If you never trusted Him, today is the
day of salvation. History can be a cruel animal, and after death you may never
be remembered here on earth. But you have a Father in heaven who will
remember-so make peace with Him today, and assure tomorrow.
Heaven awaits those that believe-don't become memorabilia like Triumph
posters, or Norton ads, or even a Pontiac commercial. At just the right time,
Jesus died for us-no matter what time you are born into, His timing is perfect.
And the best reason to look ahead, when all our memories only take us
back.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com