I have always wanted to turn 40 since it seems like a real age - maybe somebody will take me seriously now!
Probably not.
I don't expect you to understand this... but I had the best birthday of my life.
Yesterday was a full day of meetings and special activities, so although I got a little lunch picnic in with the family, it was mostly a work day. That was fine and I was happy.
But today - they surprised me. All of sudden they all ran into my office, grabbed my arms and dragged me out to be unceremoniously blindfolded while sitting on the steps. I was ushered into a car and informed to keep quiet - which I never did!
We drove around for a while with the customary U-turns, spins, reverses and such... until I was fully disoriented. After a few more minutes, the van stopped and I was dragged out and marched along in the black.
Suddenly, the blindfold was ripped off (ow!) and sitting in front of me was my good friend Darren's automotive shop... and a 1991 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton pick up!
Here is the part I don't expect you to understand... I have always wanted a truck. An old, beat up, haul your trash to the dump and don't worry about it truck! I have dreamed of having a truck. And my family bought me one for my birthday.
I don't deserve it.
But man do I love it!
I have already named her - Ecclesiastes. We call her "Cleezer" for short.
Why that name? Because it seems to me that one of Solomon's big points in that book is to enjoy what the Lord gives you. And to let him take it away when He sees fit. That is just how I always want to think about this old truck. Believe it or not, it has been a launching pad for much joy and delight in the One who never needs wheels to get around.
"There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind."
My wife and kids are so cool it makes my head fall off.
Anyway, I am so thankful and happy I just felt like telling everybody about it! Here are a few pics if you care to see. I will try to post one of Cleezer herself if it ever stops raining!
Getting kidnapped by my kids!
Moments after the presentation at D & J Automotive!
"This can't be real!"
wow...very cool brother. Praise God!!! He is so good!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip :-) Ill miss you guys..
David
Very cool! All of a sudden I'm looking forward to my 40th birthday. ;)
ReplyDeleteWell again, I have to wonder if you've forgotten some previous birthdays when you say you "turned 40"?
ReplyDeleteHeh-heh. I've loved all four of my pickups, and I never had to worry about scratching any of them. They were all fit to throw crap into, or crash through the brush or the mud or what have you. That's what trucks are for!
I drive a Ford Escort right now (aaaah!) but I'm looking for a different truck. Maybe my family will buy me one when my big day comes around.
Happy Birthday to you Kerux! Glad you enjoyed it.
That's fantastic! Amazing Grace and an Old Chevy - Garry Weaver would love this story.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday and welcome to the 40 club.
Terry
Very cool family you have!
ReplyDeleteSay... I've got some junk to get rid of... can I, ahhh, borrow your truck?
Oh yeah, happy birthday old man!
ReplyDeleteForgot to ask, can you sit up straight in this vehicle? :-)
Congratulations, big man! You do look a bit silly with a flowery teatowel (?) tied around your head... but not more than normal I suppose ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! Trucks are rad.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday (belated) bro.
Take you seriously!!? I left 40 a long time ago and do you treat ME seriously? And Darryl isn't forty yet? I have to start hanging around with adults.
ReplyDeleteBut I will pass along the news that you actually got an automobile for your birthday (just think insurance and fuek prices) and maybe for my sixtieth I'll finally get that '57 Chevy. 1957 - nine years before you were born.
That is really neat, Paul. It's always been plainly evident that your family LOVES you, but this one was a HUGE act of love. I thought it was neat when your kids used paper route money to buy you a leafs jersey and that they could never top that one. I guess they proved me wrong.
ReplyDeleteIan.
Well let me say, I got to ride in this thing yesterday, and it's a beaut!
ReplyDeleteAre you ready for the kicker, though?
I get in and he's listening to COUNTRY on the radio!!
It took him 40 years, but he's finally into some good music. Good show, Martin! :)
Julian, was it old school country a la Hank Williams Sr, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard? Or was it Shania??? (Note: it better not be the latter!)
ReplyDeleteOkay - I am on vacation, but let's just be clear... the country music was for Julian's sake!
ReplyDeletePWM
Happy birthday and congrats on the Chevy truck. Your family must really love you, because they obviously cared enough to give the very best(a Chevy).
ReplyDeleteBTW, a Chevy truck is NOT a beater! It is to be loved, appreciated and cared for almost like a family member. It will only know that you love it if you spend money on it.
So what is the licence plate going to say. I'm sure that "KERUX" is probably not taken....
ReplyDeleteJust think of all that stuff you can bring to Carey instead of strategically locating it all around your children inside your van!
ReplyDeleteVery Interesting.Guess who I am. My middle name is Grace.
ReplyDeleteNot only do I know who you are "Grace," I never should have left your home without first clearing the history in your browser!!!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome!
Come back more often!
*UPDATE*
ReplyDeletePaul claimed that the country was for my sake, but when he was away on vacation I borrowed Cleezer. When I got to his house, hopped in the truck and turned the key, the country station was on the radio.
It's true.
Paul likes country.