Our Old Car!

Time Grinding On.

     About the time my wife was diagnosed with a blockage in her intestines, our old car, that had carried us for almost 200,000 mi. started to have problems again. I discovered the seriousness with her problems when I began to take one part after another apart, only to find that the problems were all interconnected, and that the problems, when exposed, would only reveal another, sometimes more serious, problem. I can remember one more difficult bout where the fuel pumping system failed to flow properly, the life of the engine being cut off, at times working, at times not. In a valiant attempt to fix what was wwrong, my eyes were opened to other equally serious problems that should also be immediately addressed. Time and money were now my enemy. I longed to make the old girl right, but I was only able to do so much. And as I progressed, I found I would only be exposing other problems to fix. But what could I do? Either I had to give up and let her die, or I could attack that moment's problems and try to gain one more small victory. The hardest part was waiting while others worked on her aging body. Having done what I could in the small ways; inspecting and dressing her injuries, trying to guard her comings and goings, encouraging her as she dealt with har rapid care decline. Now waiting, as another, maybe less caring, cut away some offending part, which used to be essential. Old age, creeping into the bones and iron will of things. Decaying the very essence of life. Our bandages only barely able to temporarily defeat the out-flow of our lives.

     I was discovering the seriousness of the situations when I was reminded that there are greater powers at work here, Time and Age are either our enemies or friends. They play the same part in either case, but in the first they destroy. In the second, more potent, they resolve our lives and existence; by preparing us to face another place in another better car. Though the first may fail, the second is guaranteed.                    I Thessalonians 4:13-18

 

Author's Note

I came upon this story and the following poem while my wife was recovering from surgery. The earlier resulted from the first sleepless night and the latter when I couldn't stay awake.

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

LSS,
Your story, "Our Old Car," was a word to the reality of "doing the best you can with what you've got." I find myself using this phrase. Anyway your progressive diary of experience with the car as a platform was very symbolic. I was able to picture your situations at this vulnerable times of life. Loss is progressive much of the time and we can prepare but it is so hard. Bless you for sharing such a personal and meaningful message and I love how you placed the scripture at the end by the way. PS It was lovely to visit a new author and an early work to boot! Bless you much................................Kathy

[Legion]

I found this an enlightening piece. Time definetly waits for no man (or car), but if you pay attention you can often catch the ride and learn a few things along the way. Good work.

[James K. Blaylock]

This is so very true of life, and within such a heartfelt write. God, truly is the only one who understands us wholly, and at our very cores. It is He who can cure all those things that make us fearful... Be blessed.

jkb