When the VW Beetle finally passed away, breathing its last breath of
Mexican air, no one seemed to care except the millions who had related to it
over the 70 years it clogged up traffic on earth. Personally I never cared for
the car, or the Type 2 vans/buses, or other variations of it. Even the cool
looking Karmann Ghia was suffered by no motor, so what if they last forever but
it takes forever to get there? So here are a few of my memories of the Beetle,
seems even those not fond of it were touched by it, even if it was following one
at 45 in the fast lane.
My Dad had a 1963 blue one, bought used. He even let me put my Honest
Charlie’s Speed Shop decal on one window. But my main memory was one day
getting gas with him at a Sunoco, paying 23.9/gallon. Just across from him was
a new C3 Vette filling up with 260 at 32.9/gallon. His comment, “how can that
guy afford to fill that thing up?” Buy the Vette Dad, I’ll pay the dime from my
paper route.
When Theresa moved east to New Mexico, I flew to LA, and we drove back in
her 1976 Beetle. Slow and noisy, remember I was used to motorcycles, it seemed
it was made for the 55 mph speed limit, that’s all it would do, except over the
passes. But we made it, and shortly after traded it along with my 1967 Sedan
DeVille for a new 1978 Rabbit, my third. Our first new car together, but
without the Beetle to trade, we could not have done it. Seems I underestimated
the value of it and what I got in return. And the new Rabbit too.
But that was my third Rabbit, the second one a story in itself, but the
first one when they first came out to replace the aging Beetle. But it always
ran bad, so bad it spent most of the six months I owned it at the shop, and I
was given a new Beetle as a loaner. I was thankful for the loaner, but if I had
wanted a Beetle I would have bought one. Sold that Rabbit with no air to a kid
who had just been accepted to the University of Arizona. I wonder if it or him
ever made it?
But my middle Rabbit was bought when I moved to Albuquerque, a basic
Rabbit, with nothing, even the door panels were cardboard. But I needed a car,
got taken quite a bit on it, but it turned out to be a blessing. When Bob
wanted to go back to Chicago and share his new life in Christ with his old
dealer friends, I let him borrow it. Which he totaled when they turned on him,
chasing him the wrong way down a one way street. When the insurance company
looked for a used 1976 for comparison, all they could find was one loaded up,
and I got a check for over $1000 more than I paid for the Basic Rabbit. Lots of
lessons learned other than never loan Bob your car, and no, I didn’t buy a
Beetle. So I guess without thinking about it, maybe the VW Beetle played a
small part in my life, and sadly it was always the car that led to a better one
on my next purchase. But the best thing is I got Theresa as part of the deal,
and 42 years later, no talk of trade for a newer model. As she goes to work in
her 2015 Mustang convertible....
Jesus tells us “come unto me you who are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest.” Many times I find my own lack of sleep is from not getting my own way or
not trusting God. Seems there is always something to tempt me, to want to go
faster, quicker, to be the coolest on the block. A self created heavy laden,
but Jesus is equipped to remove that burden. I look back at my Beetle memories,
and each one led to a better memory. My Dad traded his VW for a 1969 BMW 1600,
which I bought used from him, no VW no BMW, he used to drive Ramblers. No
Beetle from Theresa, no New Mexico marriage, and no new Rabbit, which served us
when living at 8300’ in Colorado, it started every morning even at –42 degrees.
Traded for a 1982 Mazda 626 when we started our family. And of course when Bob
totaled my Basic one, only God knew what lied ahead, I had and still have no
idea. But I have learned, and still learning to lean on him, to take his yoke
for it is easy, to let him give me rest. I never want him to tell me “why do
you call me Lord but don’t listen to me?” And with all the cool cars and
motorcycles out there, I too struggle with “being glad for what you have,” for
my reward is in heaven, and can be enjoyed now, as Jesus reminded us “on earth
as it is in heaven.” Just no Beetles I hope.....but if there are...
But one theme constantly stays with me, no matter how you go in life, there
is always something faster, prettier, more expensive, and more desirable.
Except Jesus, for in him I found all I need, and really all I desire. I have
trusted him with motorcycle and car purchases that seemed to not work out, but
showed me patience when they did. I passed on marrying two other women, came
pretty close, until I met Theresa. And today I can look forward to tomorrow
because of how he impacted my past. So as I watch old microbuses go for over
$100,000 fulfilling someone’s dream, when I see old Beetles all over in So Cal,
and when I see men my age trying to recapture their youth, I look ahead. While
some still look for God via religion, drugs, or wealth, only to find those
things own them, I find peace and life in Christ. So maybe consider taking
Jesus along the next time you go car buying, or see a bike you cannot live
without-again, for he is the best deal maker. He goes beyond a FICO score, any
discounts, and even the turkeys I have spent too much on, he was there to help
me back on my feet, or on two wheels again. So if a Beetle is part of your
legacy, it’s OK. But if Jesus isn’t, it’s not, but not too late. That burden
you have, no matter what, he can carry for you and ease the pain. Many cars
entered my life and left much differently. When Jesus enters your life, he
wants you to not stay the same way, but still loves you the way you are. Can
any of your old cars say the same....
And for those of you who struggle with faith, in those times when he seems
to not be there, he is listening, not forcing himself on you. The spirit
comforting you through it. So don’t confuse delay with acceptance of your
prayer, he never hurries and was never late. Just like your old Beetle.....it
may take a while, so enjoy the ride while you can. With a reminder to all you
biker types, remember putting a VW motor in a Harley frame......does that mean a
VW is faster than a Harley?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com