Sunday, March 29, 2009

I visited a car show last summer. When I saw this car, I was reminded of stories my father would tell of his youth.

Every Sunday, my grandfather would gather the family and out they would go for a Sunday drive. He would spend the entire weekend cleaning his car and Sunday it would be the showcase of the neighborhood. In the 30's, many a car would leave the driveway on any given Sunday, family in tow for the ritual.

This was a time when access to an automobile was a luxury, unlike today, a car is transportation, a necessity, a tool used to get from point a to b. Seldom used to bring the family together...each family member has their own car...drawing them apart on their separate ways. This type of family event will never repeat itself again...the car now a necessary distraction rather than a place for the family to come together, talk and enjoy each other's company. The aura is gone along with so many other remnants of this time. Thankfully we have the older family members, relatives, to spin the tales of days gone by not unlike the oral traditions handed down by other cultures all around the world.

10 comments:

Dani said...

Awe the nostalgia for times of old. I wish life could remain so simple and people could find so much happiness in enjoying those little things. Added technology brings added laziness and added need for more entertainment...without effort. It's sad. In my day-to-day I try to do things in a more simple way for the sake of my son...hopefully he can learn to value those little things.

Dan Felstead said...

Dani,
Your story on PPP about your grandmother made me think of this picture.

Dan

septembermom said...

Events and objects had a special, unique meaning to older generations. I think our society is so disposable. We don't treasure anything anymore. Your post reminded me of my father's stories of his childhood. It is harder for me to come up with those kind of family stories to create those enduring family tales. I agree with Dani that we are becoming too digital and too fast to enjoy the smaller comforts and meaningful experiences of our day. By the way, my husband would love to take a drive in that car :)

Heather said...

When I first glance at this one, "he" boldly looks at me with a presence. I can't really tell you why but I feel as though "he" demands my attention :o).

Dan Felstead said...

Septembermom,
I agree. My son is 23 and as I look back, we have no traditions to speak of. It doesn't seem to bother Zach right now but as he gets older, it is a shame he will not have these memories of family traditions. If I could make a redo...I would change that.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Heather,
I feel the same...I think cars...especially older cars often have a personality. This one almost demands that we take a ride in it! It seems as though it is staring...waiting. I have two other cars that I will post in the future and they too have their own personalities...totally different from this one.

Dan

Heather said...

Great...I'll be looking for them. I feel the same way about cars, isn't that a funny thing - I'm a mechanics daughter. I would never have thought they didn't have personalities of their own (it's genetic, I think)

hahaha

:o) ~me

Mchilly said...

Nice car, love the color :-)

Dan Felstead said...

Mchilly,
Thank you for visiting the blog and stop back by anytime. I visted your clipping path site. That is one area I have not been able to master in photoshop...use of the pen tool. Very frustrating for me and I would love to learn because it would be very useful.

Dan

Ivo Beutler said...

Times sure have changed, and most family traditions have faded. It's always nice to recall those moments and it would be even better if we get to do those things again. Weren't there traffic jams back in the 30s since cars went for a family drive every Sunday? Ah well, automobiles were a luxury back then. Driving with the family on a Sunday may still be done today, given that most roads are empty during that day.