No matter how much or how little I think I have to do besides stiching, I never get started before 4 p.m. Today I fully expected to be stitching before 9 a.m. Nope – 6:30 p.m. and I haven’t taken the first stitch but I am not complaining.
Look who showed up.
They called and asked if they could run by. I knew Chad wanted to show it off, even though it’s the only pickup I remember my grandpa ever having. They said they were about 30 – 40 minutes away so Vince ran and got pizza. They ate with us and stayed for a while, then were on their way home.
My uncle told Chad the truck has never spent the night not in a garage. The pressure is on to make sure it’s always inside.
I had forgotten that the old truck has a manual starter on the floor and a manual choke. No heat. No air conditioning and no radio. Addie said “We’re getting an air conditioner put in it” and Chad said “No, we are not!” The look on her face. A child her age cannot imagine no a/c. Wait til she comprehends the meaning of no heat in Missouri in the winter. Of course, that truck will not be driven much.
Chad even has an original key!
All three of them are so proud of it though I don’t think Addie really understands what it means to Chad to have his great grandpa’s pickup that still looks and runs so good.
They’re on their way home now and I’m fixing to start stitching. A late start is better than no start and nothing beats getting to see Chad, Nicole and Addie.
My dad had called a couple of times to check on them so I called him as soon as they left and told him they had made it to our house and would be at their house in about an hour. I tried to call my uncle but I’m thinking he was on the phone with Chad since it didn’t go to voice mail and Chad said he would call him and let him know they were almost home.
I asked my uncle this morning if he missed the old truck and o the garage looked empty without it. He said YES and it would take a while before he got used to not seeing it there. He’s had it for 41 years.
Nelle Coursey says
What a treasure to have! I know Chad is proud to have this! We had a car that had the starter in the floor, manual transmission and it was hard to start with one foot on the gas and starter and the other foot on the brake and clutch! I learned to drive in this car! Chad is so lucky. This looks like it is in mint condition!! Congratulations to him for getting this truck and I know he will take as good care with it as your uncle did. After 41 years plus the years his dad had it, that is like losing a family member!
Dottie Newkirk says
Those old trucks have so many stories they could tell……Some of my best memories were riding in and getting to drive my Granddad’s old pickup – He drove Chevy pickups, too. I did get one of his pickups stuck in the field one time and had to walk back to the farmhouse to let them know. They had to get the tractor to pull me out. Those “roads” on the outsides of the fields were super sandy and when the winds blew, they shifted the sand. It was definitely inexperience on my part and they still let me drive the pickups. Good memories.
The windows were always down in the summer and sometimes in the winter to wipe the windshield from the ice/snow.
Judy Laquidara says
Those were the days, huh?
Sandi B says
I learned to drive in a 52 International 1 ton flatbed. All of the same features as this family treasure Chad was just entrusted with. Memories!!
RuthW says
Such a great color! That key is beautiful. Definitely a good dream realized.
Barbara says
That’s a great family treasure! I can smell the inside of the truck when I look at the photo of the inside, it reminds me of the old trucks my dad had.