In the beginning, she had all she needed – a life of her own, a place to call home …and a car.
It wasn’t much of a car, really – a ’49 Chevy, with some rust and well-worn tires. But it was all hers. It gave her independence and a chance to chase her dreams. It took her from her hometown of Camden (in Preble County, Ohio) all the way to the big city of Dayton.
She had it made. The car took her everywhere.
That’s when a guy entered the picture, as is the case in all good stories. The guy was a poor guy from Franklin, someone who was long on ambition but short on the means to get there. He had no money, no job and no way to get either one.
He needed … a car.
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| Mom and her car, 1959 |
GOD HAS A SENSE of humor. Sure, this new couple had some personal chemistry and a loving respect for one another, but the joke many years later was that she had one quality in his eyes that stood above the rest – and it wasn't her beauty or independence.
It was the car.
In short order, her car became THEIR car. And her life became THEIR life. And, before long, they were on the road to something big. But not until one day, out of desperation, he sold her car, something she would kid around about for years.
"He sold my car!" she would say. "It was MY car, not his."
Fortunately, they traveled far from their humble beginnings. They found the highway to good jobs, nicer clothes, and great vacations. There was the week in Rio, two near Madrid, and a half-dozen trips to Aculpoco. He was an up-and-coming trial lawyer, and she was the woman who made him successful.
One day, long after the Chevy was gone, she was able to go to the dealership and get another car -- this one brand new, titled in her name only.
They moved up in other ways, too. After a series of rented small houses, one with no lock on the front door, they later owned a six-bedroom home that was considered among the finest in town. The garage was big enough to hold not just one car, but two.
Life was good.
But the money wasn’t all they had. They had their health, their standing in the community, and their five children, who somehow managed to co-exist without killing one another. In that regard, they had a life full of miracles.
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Family photos, in 1964 (left) and 2001
THEY INSTILLED VALUES on their children -- to work hard, and never, ever act as though someone else is beneath you. Be the change you want to see in the world.
The children listened, and then later instilled those same principles into their children.
Achievement can come in the face of all adversity. It’s not the style of the car that matters, but the power of the engine in it.
On that day more than 60 years ago, when she flashed through downtown Dayton in her "new" car, her pride and joy, could she have ever envisioned the way things would turn out?
She’d be the first to tell you she could not. She felt God blessed her in more ways than she ever deserved.
You may know her as Pat Kirby, a good citizen, a wonderful person, and a trusted friend who passed away late Monday afternoon in the memory care unit at the Enclave senior care facility in Springboro. And you would be correct.
But I know her simply as “Mom.” And I can tell you why she was blessed for her 86 years on Earth. If you want to receive a blessing, you have to be one first. And with her cheery spirit and gentle heart, no one was more of a blessing to people than Mom.
We love you, Mom, and we will miss you.
But more than that, we will always remember you, and cherish you. Your life was special.
What a ride.
Living the simple life, in 1942. That's Mary Jane at left, and Mom the second from right.