Delayed Gratification-About Forty Years Worth!

Sometimes it just doesn't seem fair. When you are young and just starting a family, everything is put on hold. Nights are interrupted, diapers need to be changed, little ones soak up every free moment you have. There never seems to be any time to relax, certainly not to indulge yourself in personal pampering.

Getting started in the work-a-day world means starting on the bottom rung and working up from there. So when your expenses are the greatest, your income is the least. Hopefully income will increase as the kids progress through school and go on to college. The ideal situation would be that income increases enough to cover the increased cost. Then-before you know it, the young ones are off on their own. Now it is time to start saving that money that once went for their expenses.

I have learned through the years to take pleasure in the small things, things I could afford! My mind was not even allowed to wander into previously forbidden areas. Every effort was focused on the family and the future. Now, I am on the downhill side, approaching the end of my work-a-day life. My family has grown up and are doing fine, for that I am grateful and thank the Lord. There are no overhanging worries. So once in a while I let my mind wander---

When Rachel and I moved out here, we enjoyed short motorcycle rides in the foothills. The feeling of freedom, the smell of crisp mountain air, and the sensation of speed, all added up to a pleasurable experience. After my little mishap a couple of years ago, it didn't seem prudent to keep riding a motorcycle. But we both missed the fun. To replace that with something safer, I decided to get something sporty, but that had 4 wheels.

After doing a lot of reading and research, I settled on a 20 year old Chevy. It was old enough that I could do some of the simpler maintenance, and its value had nearly bottomed out. Insurance was cheap, but parts were still available. I started looking for something in the '86 to '88 year range, and settled on a '87. It was well within a good price range, and appeared to be well taken care of. It has turned into my entertainment when at home. It is what I work on when the chores are done and the lawn is mowed.

We look forward to taking some short trips soon, like up to Estes Park for ice cream, or maybe just for fun.