Note:  As a Moderator (California Red) for www.roadsterchat.net , I am obliged to read stories folks post.  From time to time, I come across one that brings a smile to my face.  The following is just such a story and thought I'd share it with you.


Two weeks ago my parents went to Virginia and picked up my grandma at the assisted living place she lives at. They brought her back to Ohio for a couple weeks to visit. She has had a hard life. She had to drop out of school during the depression to work on the farm and take care of younger siblings. Married my grandfather at an early age and went to work farming with him. She never even got a drivers license because she never had a need to. She just worked there on the farm. Grandpa died about 10 years ago after a long bout with enphysema and lung cancer and she had to sell the farm and move to a trailer on a piece of my uncles property. Finally a couple years ago she had to move to this assisted living place because her arthritis is getting so bad. She has made several comments recently about how sometimes she feels guilty participating in all of their activities and having so much fun but not doing any work. It's sad to think that in her entire life she really hasn't had much fun, it's always been work work work, and now she almost can't have fun.

Anyways, tonight, I met them at Donatos for a pizza and we were going to go back to my parents house afterwards for ice cream and socializing. As we were leaving Donatos I said 'Grandma, why don't you come with me?' (She has made several comments about how cute my car is.) She got a big grin on her face and started talking about not being able to get down in there with her arthritis but my Mom and Dad assured her that we would help her get in and more importantly get out. So she came over to the car to check it out and was able to get in okay. She just got lined up and then pretty much dropped in. We folded her walker up and put it in the trunk and off we went. (I made sure it was a liesurely drive so as not to scare her. ) The whole way home she was grinning from ear to ear and as we talked she would giggle occasionally. I asked her if she had ever ridden in a convertible and she said no but she had been in a rumble seat several times. We got to their house and got her out of the car and into the house and for the next couple of hours she made numerous comments about how fun it was and 'Wouldn't the people at the home like to see this.' About 10:30 I left and came home and my mom called a few minutes later and said that when grandma was going to bed she got a big smile on her face and said 'This has sure been a rich evening. We had pizza and ice cream and I got to ride in a convertible.'

It touches me deeply to know that something I did for her made her so happy. And I couldn't have done it without my Miata. Hopefully she will remember this evening for many years to come and be able smile as she thinks back. I now consider my grandma a roadster woman and I would encourage all of you to take your elderly grandparents or parents for a ride. You never know, it just might be one of the best times they've ever had.

Phil
2000 Miata, Emerald Mica