Come along with me for a short ride, a short ride back to a simpler time,
when the make of car that you were riding in was more important than just riding
in a car. Where a short trip was like an odyssey, and a long trip seemed like
weeks, if only for an afternoon. My Grandfather was always a GM man, he loved
his Pontiacs, but had a Buick or two in between, then two Cadillacs, finally
returning to Pontiac fro his last car, a 1970 LeMans, two door with buckets
seats, and he used to shift the auto like a manual. Go Grandpa. But the car I
remember most, was his 1959 Buick Electra, 4 door hardtop, silver grey with red
leather interior. Classy, and long, with a rear seat center arm rest my sister
used to ride on. Without seat belts! The car by which all other Buicks were
measured. My Pappy had a 1958 Ford Fairlane 500, again a two door hardtop,
black with a white top, with plastic covered seats. Stylin’ for his time, his
final car. Strangely both my grandmothers didn’t drive until later in life, my
Grandmother a succession of Ramblers, her 1969 Rambler Rogue being way sporty,
and my Nana and her 1967 Buick Skylark. Purchased after Pappy died, she learned
to drive, and we loved to ride her, as she thought you
had to pass everyone. Many emergency trips to the DDB, the Daisy Dairy Bar were
taken, radio blaring through the rear speaker in her two door hardtop with the
windows down. White with a black vinyl top, she as the epitome of style in
1967. At least her grandsons thought so. So it is the cars remind me of my
grandparents, of the good times, and of looking forward to riding with them. a
time with no seat belts, no child restraints, no children’s seats, and of a Nana
who loved to speed. And a sister perched on an armrest! What will your kids’
kids remember about you and your driving?
Today we have child safety seats, harnesses, and air bag cut off switches.
Kids are terrified of driving away without wearing a seatbelt, feeling safe and
secure while mom talks on her cell phone. Give me a conversation, unbelted with
Nana anytime, safer and more memorable. We talked with our grandparents,
focusing on the stories they told us, learning about the landmarks, and looking
forward to that large ice cream cone, or having a hamburger, fires, and a Coke
with them. We were all about the ride, and the car you were in mattered. And
today we remember times, places, food, and rides because of them. People knew
your Grandpa had made it in the Buick, that Nana was a young widow in her
Skylark, and their cars were their identification in the public eye. And when
they came to visit, their cars parked in our driveway were a sign to the
neighbors that even though my Dad had a Rambler, his father and in laws were
still cool. Makes me wonder, what will my grandkids think of our cars?
Being grandchildless so far, Riley and Landon hang with us, going to
Cruisin’ Grand in Theresa’s Mustang, with the top down. Their mother drives an
SUV, guess which car they rather ride in? It seems with the exception of Uncle
Buck, our old 1990 Ford Crown Vic, we have had convertibles, and sporty cars. T
birds, Mustangs, and a Probe-two doors for two kids. Which also kept us out of
the car pool society, let other kids tear up other peoples cars, not mine.
Which makes my mind wander, and wonder what will the memories be of cars when
they get their license? When they go to buy a car? An SUV? A Honda Civic
sedan? A car with a more powerful sound system than the car has horsepower?
How will we be remembered, as those who drove cool cars? And motorcycles? Have
we lost cool and the coolness of riding in cool cars forever? Where and what
will they cruise in 20 years? A Tesla? A Prius? I am wary of kids who brag
their parents drive a Prius. Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick, from 1959
or 1967? Generations come and go...but it is how they go that we
remember.
It has been said, and wisely so, “I didn’t quit riding because I got old,
I got old because I quit riding.” Old age being as much a state of mind as it
is a state of body. With fun being a factor in the equation. And although my
grandparents were much older than me, I never thought of them as old, they got
out and did things. They talked with us and to us. We rode with them, an early
reminder of the trip being the destination. We interacted, and listened, as we
were their main audience, and a captive one at that. And many values and life
lessons were taught to us at an early age, that later we would pass on to our
kids. Lessons learned from sitting unbelted in a car with the windows down, and
sometimes the radio blaring. “Go fast Nana,” and she did. “Drive slow past my
friend’s house again Grandpa,” showing off his car. Identified by what they
drove, and wanting to be identified with them. Impressing our friends. And
sometimes stopping and inviting them along. And Grandpa always bought, no
matter how many cones for each kid. They were respected, and looked up to, as
were the cars they drove.
Reputations can be easily earned, and sometimes misplaced. Or come from
the strangest source. We find in Antioch the first time believers are called
Christians. They talked about Jesus, lived like Him, showed the fruits of the
spirit in their daily lives, so they were referred to as Christians, or “Little
Christs.” By the Gentiles of all people, it was a name they didn’t invent for
themselves. But soon they liked the name, and as the gospel spread, so did the
name. At first it was a name that was used mockingly, sadly today it is also.
But to these so-called, who didn’t worship idols, who lived clean lives, who
actually liked being different, they liked the name, and so today we are still
called Christians. And so the gospel spread, many times one on one, like the
conversations while driving with my Grandpa, or listening to Nana talk about her
late husband, my Pappy. We learned things first hand, and found it was OK to
ride with them, to be associated with them. That older people were cool too,
just on a different level. Just like Christians.
As Christians we are the coolest, just on a different level. We
have eternal life, and if anyone should have fun it is us. And how we share the
gospel will influence those who listen. The times talking while driving, not on
your cell phone, kids not glued to some screen, can be the best times ever.
Memories in the making, and a time of sharing Jesus. Not just Christian music,
but in conversation, answering questions from them, and making them think and
consider Christ in their lives. Building testimonies, and stories to be
repeated to the next generation. And some will remember the car, some the
person. Blessed are those who have both. And find out how cool it is to know
Jesus. To be called a Christian, even if made fun of. My friend Peter tells
people to “burn rubber, not your soul,” good advice from someone who knows. So
I ask, is your life an SUV with the windows up, no fun, or a convertible, top
down going places? What ride best describes your life in Christ? Bored and
confused, or alive and exciting? What Jesus do you prefer? Life is for the
living, so get out and live. Wear the name Christian with great joy, and live
life with the windows down, wind in your hair. Let your ride reflect your
Bible, if it is worn out, it reflects a life that isn’t. Experience Jesus first
hand, looking back the rides with my grandparents were times of fun, stories,
and precious memories. Just like Christians should have. A new generation is
waiting, what you drive and the places you take them will forever influence
them. They were called Christians at Antioch, the world saw something different
in them. What does the world see in you? What will your kids remember about
riding in their grandparents’ car? Do we dare call you Christian?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com