Durant Day at the Senior Center

Dad had HIS day today...but he had no idea what all it took to get the Durant ready to take to the Senior Center. We have had rain for several days. We did need it but it had been getting in the way of our plans to get the cars out of storage. The rain finally ended and then yesterday I got a terrible migraine and Rod had to help me out and it delayed getting the Durant out of storage for today. So later last night Rod went to the storage to get the Durant and it wouldn't start. He had started it on Saturday but that's the trouble with these antique cars. They are tempermental. So Rod calls me to tell me the problem. I told him that I didn't care how he got the car out and got it started but we promised Dad he would have that car tomorrow so just do it. Call AAA and have them tow it here and then work on it tonight....but figure something out. It just so happened it was a dead battery and by the skin of his teeth, Rod got the car back to the house with a new battery before the storage closed at 9pm. Dad had already gone to bed although he was concerned for Rod having to get the Durant all prepared for him. I told Dad not to worry, Rod WILL figure it out.

I was grateful. I told Rod that I appreciated his efforts and he had gone without dinner and wasn't wanting anything to eat but was just going to take a shower and go to bed. I think he was relieved that he did get it started because he knew how much this next day was going to mean to Dad. After all, who knows how many good days Dad will have like this and to be able to show off his Durant is at the top of Dad's list of favorites. So in the morning, Dad got dressed....shaved, and ready to get his shoes on....THEN he asks, "Hey, how did it turn out with the Durant? I suppose Rod couldn't get it started, huh?" I said "Now Dad, you know Rod wouldn't give up....it's in the driveway!"

You should have seen the look on Dad's face. Pure joy as I would describe it.

Off to the Center at 8:30am and I told Dad that we would have the car over there by one o'clock. They weren't going to start taking photos by the Durant until then. I came home and polished the car because it was really dusty from sitting for the last two years. It's really hard for me to do this sort of labor but I kept thinking just how important this is for Dad. May not seem like a big deal to others, but for Dad, it was big.

I had plans to drive it myself.....but, as it turned out, I had trouble starting it. I know how to start it, I know how to drive it....but I got a little panicked. I called Rod and told him the problem and he said he had plans to leave work anyway. He would be there by noon and drive the Durant to the Center. I would take him back to work. Sounded good to me....I was relieved that I wasn't having to stress out about it not starting.

I came back to the center in about an hour....Dad was outside walking around talking to a sweet little old lady about his car. I was taking photos already and I walked in on a conversation between the two of them. She was wanting to know if he was still driving....and IF he got to ride in it and IF he tooks others for a drive. Okay, I laughed.....I thought, this gal is hinting for ride....WITH Dad. haha Women love men with fancy cars!!

Jennifer, who organized the day, was bringing out the people from the center in small groups. Dad was just as happy as could be talking about his car. He opened the trunk and showed some the Mother-in-law seat. lol Oh they thought that was funny! Have the old lady ride in the trunk!

Dad and I ended up standing by the trunk alone. I told him that I spent 90 minutes this morning cleaning and polishing the car. (Trying to get some credit here as Dad likes to do.) He looks at me and says, "Good for you." I said, "Is that all you are going to say?" Dad's response you might ask? A handshake! LOL

Then one guy wanted to see the motor. Dad said men like to see the motor....so he opens it with a little help from me and other gentleman. I am careful to at least let Dad try first before jumping in. He did get one side but the other was a little tight. So for half an hour these two men talk about the engine. LOL

At the end of the tour of residents...Dad was winding down himself. I took him back inside and told him that Rod would be back after work and he would ride home with him in the Durant. So I told Dad to go inside and take a little nap now...he had earned it.

Dad comes home and he said to me, "Well kid, I say it was a success!"

Yes, Dad....it WAS a success!