Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Giving Is Good --- TWCCTW DAY Give-Away April 4, 2009

1980 Chevy Scottsdale, 454 Big Block with 1 Ton Chassis/Brakes

I wrote in a previous post, on the 13th of March, that I was finally ready to let my big truck go. One would wonder why this is so big --- the idea of it, that is. It feels like a true Give-Away in the Native American tradition. And, it works in conjunction with the new Together WE Can Change the World Day, which happens for the 2nd time on April 2, 2009.

When I got this truck, Big Z wasn't born. My brother-in-law helped me locate it and knew the owner. On a trip to CA, I met the owner and tested the truck. Everyone who saw it raved about its powerful engine, its chassis, and its condition. They wanted it for themselves, even if they already had one or two trucks already. I decided to purchase it and my brother-in-law had his nephews work on it some since he has an automotive shop. (Needless to say, this truck was always and still is the least liked item I've ever owned by Big Z's Dad. He had no interest in my big machine, though he was there when I got it. Big Z doesn't know I'm planning on giving it away yet. He never liked the idea of my selling it, but hopefully, as time passes, he will come to appreciate the gift of this vehicle to friends who can USE it well.)

I drove that Big Baby back north and loved every second of it. It felt like I'd been reborn into my youth and was getting a second chance at raisin' some good clean fun that didn't happen in my teens like you hear so many songs tell stories about. The rumba of that big old engine just did something for me and caused me to smile each and every time I drove it. I felt alive, filled with giggles, and powerfully elated each and every time I got behind the wheel.

Poor gas mileage, yes! But I had dreams of souping it up, painting it pretty, and making it more and more my style and to nourish me. It's never gotten to happen like in my dream ---

I drove that truck all over until Big Z was about 4. At that point, it just felt easier to have a vehicle that you could load gear into and out of much faster and with more room than the front seat, and that maybe got a few better miles to the gallon, especially when our divorce moved us out of town. So, since Volvo had a reputation for safety, we found a classic Volvo wagon at one of our dealers. It was in good shape, looked nice, ran well and one would guess, would get better mileage. Paid far too much for it on that lot, but it's been a decent car for a 1984.

As would happen, it only got a few more miles per gallon more than the truck, but was much more convenient for schlepping gear and all the myriad uses we've been able to accommodate with that spacious cargo area. And thus was born a period of time that my beautiful and lovely big truck sat awaiting chores . . . And, it sat, and sat. Rarely did we get to drive it except around the house, for the farm we lived on, though it had horses, really was a pretty clean farm. Our landlord had her own truck that hauled hay and made dump runs, etc.

In the last few years, due to many moves since we left that farm, we did get to drive it to our new homes. I'd put it up for sale on the second move, realizing it appeared in our lives for the foreseeable future, the time for my big truck and all its power to be used constructively in my life was lost --- we had no land, no farm, no place to give it the work it needed, and didn't have the money to keep its thirst at bay. So, it would sit, and sit while it waited for the few lookers to give it a spin around the block and to test it out. Some were pretty close to buying, but none ever took my Baby.

On our last move to our current home last year, I hoped that I would be able to change our financial picture to the point that we'd at least be able to take it out once a week, or every 2 weeks, or once a month. It is THAT fun to drive . . . and to feel that rumba, rumba of the engine. Just thinking of it causes me to smile. I was able to insure it, and have kept it current since we are in a pretty dense population of people.

But, all this while, my friend who I'm giving the truck to, saw it with new eyes almost 2 years ago now that her family had moved to a big piece of land in the county. When she picked me up for our friend's baby shower and saw it yet again a few weeks ago, she said, "Oh, there it is. That's the truck?" Mmm-hmmm.

I've spent time on her land caring for her kids, her chickens, and doing some landscaping for her. It's not far from where Big Z and I lived before our current home. It's really nice out there. When I couple her desire to have a work-horse of a truck to help her make her land more productive and wonderful (her husband has no desire for the truck either, even though he has many trucks at his disposal in his construction company) along with my desire to have my truck loved and appreciated as I've loved it, and it giving its new owner that joyful pleasure of the rumba, rumba, well, I've always thought of her. I'd rather give her the truck knowing that she would enjoy it than to see it sit in my driveway just sitting, sitting and sitting some more until our financial picture changes. And, it's true what they say: It's all about relationships. I'd rather have someone I know with my Big Truck than someone I didn't. Plain and simple. Money is not the issue in all situations.

So, the news from my friend as of this morning is, that she and her husband have talked it over. They've gotten quotes on what it will cost to insure it. And, she said they have finally worked through the receiving end of it and would be happy to take my Big Truck as their own.

YEAH.

They will have some small work to do on it, but overall, I think they will be pleased with it. And, I am tickled pink that my truck will have a home that will find work, joy, love, and appreciation. And, the wonderful thing is, that when I get to come help with projects, or just want a joy ride, I can drive it ;-).

Giving is Good.

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