At age 12, I learned to drive—-in big Chevrolet trucks. I lived on a farm—dirt roads—ahhh, sweet freedom. My dad was a trucker, hauling Kaolin. I learned to drive on one of his big commercial trucks; four-in-the-floor a rigger on the shift lever for reverse. It was exhilarating! First, I was excited, if only to drive up to his gas pump and fill the tank for his next day driving; getting to “drive” those few feet and park a truck was a thrill!
Over the years I enjoyed driving a wide variety of vehicles; cars, trucks, vans, busses—even an Army National Guard 49K pound tank. But my latest thrill was “Big Blue”—a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Crew Cab truck. When Paige and I had our camping trips we pulled our 27 foot camper with a Buick (which had an Oldsmobile 450 engine). It was powerful. In campgrounds, when I saw Chevrolet 2500’s pulling campers I salivated!
Three years ago—we no longer camped—I sold my car and ordered “Big Blue;” Blue, because it was Paige’s favorite color—Chevrolet Silverado 2500—-because, well—just because. Paige saw and approved Big Blue. Her opinion mattered. I was well past a midlife crisis, but not immune to its siren call. I thrilled to feel the strength, the awesomeness of Big Blue.
Big Blue has had quite a run—came in handy for moving; Jennifer, my daughter, and I, moved together. Then, for college, Zach, my grandson moved—twice (or was it three). Katie, my granddaughter moved. Big Blue dominated everything—a little too much, as it turned out. Each time a family member moved, Big Blue was called into service. It was —kinda like driving one of my dad’s big trucks! Big Blue and I had a great run! It was fun!—“Was” fun. I decided to downsize—to be more sensible, and let Big Blue go.
Maybe I should have read more carefully Ecclesiastes 11. While it is good to have joy in one’s life, it can easily be overblown. Zach is deep into Environmental graduate studies; although he enjoyed Big Blue, he was taken aback by its voracious gas consumption. Zach became a key guide in my selecting my new vehicle; Environmentally conservative, it has nearly infinite safety features, and, in a word, is “sensible.”
An ancient writer offers guidelines for being a good manager. Not that I had ignored this message; it is just that it is coming to mean more to me. As the writer said, Do this so that in everything God may be honored through Jesus Christ. (My emphasis). Caring about the Environment—God’s creation—is big part of that. The Apostle Paul counsels clear and mature reasoning as he calls the church in Rome to focus; pay attention to what is essential. Good advice still.
©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2022
Love this Willis, thank you for sharing.
Thanks Scottie!