Today is one of those days when, if you own a convertible, you MUST put the top down and feel the wind "blowing through your sideburns."
I was on my way to the grocery store, with the top UP, and all of a sudden I heard my Unc's voice saying, "On a gorgeous Spring day like today, you have the top UP?...what a shame...put that top DOWN and enJOY the weather."
Almost instantly, I was flooded with memories of my dad and his older brother, Hank, and how I would get the convertible ready for their Saturday lunch & card game afterwards. I'd clean up the car, stuff everything in the trunk and clean the leather, so that they could "slide" into the car. The BIG moment, for me, was when they would put on their matching "summer driving hats" and back out the driveway waving ....and I would think, what a hooty hoot !!! Of course, I could kick myself for not taking a photograph or wishing that we had had cell phones back then w/ a camera, as it would have been so easy to "snap a shot" of the two brothers.
In the Fall, they'd do the same thing....every Saturday, however, then they wore matching "leather driving caps," which I think I ordered online. I was just reminiscing w/ dad during lunch about those days. I asked if folks waved or honked their horns at them and he said "most definitely!" The two of them were like kids in a candy store when they got in and drove off to Giamanco's for lunch...looking forward to the BIG martini's that they knew awaited.
That leads me to my mom, Flo. The convertible was a gift from dad for their 50th wedding anniversary. Dad had picked out a red color and mom just didn't like it at all. The salesman at A.K.Durnin (bless his heart) led my mom out to the sales floor display area and BINGO!...she saw the color she fell in love with, a gold metal flake grey (you really would need to see it, I'm not good w/ the color here) with fabulous gold rims and a dark black top. She drove it right off the showroom floor...happy as a lark.
That was 1999. I arrived in Baton Rouge in March of 2001 to take care of mom, as she had been diagnosed with multiple immune system disorders. I think there was about 800 miles on the odometer then. That year she had to "give up" her driver's license and the freedom that comes with hopping in your car & cruising around town. Sooooo, I decided that I would take her for drives with the top down, anywhere she wanted to go...and she had a FABulous big straw hat w/ bows on it!!! Folks always honked & waved at us....kinda like "Drivin' Miss Daisy."
Some days we would just head west towards the setting sun and at the top of the Mississippi River bridge, we both would just marvel at wonder of a miraculous sunset, provided just for us, by GOD, of course. Other times, we'd just drive around to see all of the azaleas in bloom, radiant with color! Just simple things...and we both took such JOY in those moments.
Which brings me back to the beginning of this note...my JOY in seeing & remembering my Unc & my dad enjoying the pleasure of each other's company, riding w/ the top down, each w/ a HUGE smile...just like little kids, is still vivid!!
I miss my Unc and his Saturday jokes and stories...and hearing the banter between the two brothers as they played hours of gin rummy....over 50+ years. I can hear them now and it makes my heart smile. I know my dad misses his big brother more than there are words to express....they will see each other again, of that I am certain. Another card game, perhaps??
I miss my mom, Flo, too!!! Not a day goes by that I don't find myself talking to her and laughing. I cry, too. She taught me about unconditional love and grace and the importance of family. Even during her most painful moments, she had such dignity and kindness and love for others. She appreciated even the smallest gestures of care that were provided to her by her health care professionals, the women who cleaned the hospital rooms she was in, the ladies that would bring her food...it was just her nature.
Thank you mama and thank you, Unc, for providing me with great memories, good times, sound advice & pictures that will stay in my mind & my heart, until it is my time to pass from this life.
Soooooo, if you have a convertible, drop the top!!! and if you have a sunroof, open it!!...and enJOY the beauty all around ...it's there for the taking and who knows, it might bring back some memories for you as well.
All my love.....all my life.
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