Circle of Trust

It would be difficult to name all of the favorite movies that my dad, sister and I share, but “American Graffiti” would definitely be on that list.  We all love cars and we all love that movie.  Coincidentally, today’s workout fell on the day of the release of this movie.

I was blessed when my dad picked up a ’67 Mustang Fastback for us to restore when I was 15.  Restoration projects (just like life) never go as planned, so it was not until the Christmas morning of 2011 when my dad presented me and my family (Jim V was 3 at the time) with the finished car.  It was my Overhaulin’ moment.  My dad and I literally dusted many a knuckle, cussed, bonded, questioned our sanity and spent many a late night on the build.  It became more than a car in the process and is still the glue between us in many ways.

October 2012.  My sister and I wanted to do something nice for my dad for his birthday, so we took him to the Balloons over Mt. Vernon Carnival and Car Show.  We would road trip to Mt. Vernon and give the Mustang a real shake down in the process.  Most importantly, we’d be together.  We stayed at a wonderful bed and breakfast (Sidwell Friends) and arrived late Friday afternoon.  Saturday was spent seeing what sites there were, talking to the locals and finally ending up at a self car wash in town.  There were plenty of car owners detailing their cars there in preparation for the show.  Car guys have a common universal language, so the conversations came easy and we got a better understanding of the evening’s festivities and where to park.

We pulled in and got a pretty prime spot to show the car that night.  Cars continued to roll in as we walked around.  It really was an impressive display of cars.  I ran into one car owner that might as well have been my twin.  He had his dad with him, his 3yr old boy and was the proud owner of a Raven Black ’65 Mustang fastback.  Heck, he even looked like me!  We all walked up and I complemented him on his car and told him I was a fellow Mustang owner.  Immediately he asked me if I was the guy running around town in the ’67 Candy Apple Red Mustang fastback.  I laughed and told him that I was that guy.  He replied with, “Yeah, I heard you was in town”.

We all walked away after a very nice conversation.  Then, my dad leaned in after we were out of ear shot and whispered to me and my sister, “We are living in a movie”.  I think there might have been a tear in his eye.  My sister and I just hugged my dad as we continued to walk.  Nothing needed to be said, as we all knew the title of that movie.

I challenge all of you to find a moment that is special to you.  Now, hold it in your mind.  Remember the colors, the smells, the sounds and the sights.  Take that moment and play it over and over again as you go through these breathing exercises every morning.  Now all you need to do is smile, smile, smile.