Got No Power Windows

Let me tell you about my yesterday.

We had to do some work on the chicken coop, so I needed my new, old truck to help haul some old wood for me.  We tore down one side of the chicken coop that was just crappy old particle board hammered together.

We’re replacing it with some rustic looking wide planks that are in a pile of rubble from a torn down structure. 

So me and my niece Ash loaded up in the truck to gather the planks and drive them to the coop.  This was her first time to see this old heap of metal and as soon as she climbed in, one of the first things she exclaimed was how she loved those kind of windows.  You know the kind.  The crank handle kind. 

It took some work to get the truck running.  But once it did, it only died 3 times.  But then it got warmed up, and it was ready to go.  If only I could get it to go, that is.

Now I’ve driven a stick shift in my time, and once I re-introduce myself to the gears I can normally do just fine.  So I put this truck in first, it jerked forward a couple times, and then died.  My second attempt in first gear was a repeat of the previous failure.  I then attempted to start off in second gear, and it jerked and died.  I eased off the clutch more carefully, it still died.  I tried and tried and could not for the life of me figure out why I couldn’t get this truck to go without dying.  I studied the gear shift again. 

I wasn’t really sure what L stood for, I don’t recall ever seeing it on a gear shift before.  Ash assured me that it probably stood for Launch, so I slammed it into L, and sure enough that must be what it stands for ’cause away we went.

We gathered the boards up.

Then pulled all the nails out. 

Then we took a drive in the truck.  We rolled, and I do mean literally rolled, our windows down.  We even pushed open that little triangle window that is next to the big window and let the wind blow through out hair as we chugged down the dusty country lane. 

My old truck reminds me of a song that my daddy likes.  It’s called Power Windows.

Louis drives a beat up ’69 Dart.
Swears it’s the statue of Mary that keeps the car from falling apart.
With Gracie right beside him sittin’ closer than a smile.
She’s got her head on his shoulder.
He loves to drive and hold her.

He got no power windows. Got no power brakes.
He ain’t got no power nothin’ but he got what it takes.
He’s got Gracie’s arm around him and a smile on his face.
He’s got the power of love. 
 

That night, as I was saying good night to Ash, she remarked that it was the most awesome day ever.  The most awesome day ever?   How strange.  We didn’t do anything but work.  So I asked her what made it so awesome.

Her response made me smile.  She said just being out at the place, tearing down the chicken coop, driving the truck, and having family fun.

It made me realize that we didn’t spend any money.

We didn’t see anything fancy.

We didn’t have the newest, high-tech $300 gadget to entertain us.

We got no power windows even.

Just the two of us, hanging out, enjoying the sunshine, laying on an old wagon gazing at the clouds, telling stories, singing songs, and enjoying each other.

Which reminds me of another song.  This one my mama used to sing me when I was just a wee one.

Oh, we ain’t got a barrel of money,
Maybe we’re ragged and funny
But we’ll travel along
Singing a song
Side by side.

Don’t know what’s comin’ tomorrow
Maybe it’s trouble and sorrow
But we’ll travel the road
Sharing our load
Side by side.

Travel the road in our old blue truck with no power windows,

Side by side.