Anja and I bought the T in 1996, but didn't really discover long-distance driving in it until 2003, when seven cars from our local club drove from St Louis to Dearborn for the Ford Motor Company Centennial. The following Christmas, Ken Meek told several of us that he and Marge had signed up for the Show-Me Tour in May 2004. We went as well and were hooked. I said to Anja after the tour, "If we're going to do this regularly, we are going to need our own trailer." She agreed. Then I said, "But we will also need something to pull it," to which she responded, "Well, we could trade my car in on an SUV..." Attagirl!
From 1996 through 2011, my rough calculation a week ago (we didn't keep exact mileage records) is that we have driven over 14,000 miles in the T, always with me driving and Anja in the passenger seat. We have done, among others, the Show-Me Tour (8x), the Hillbilly Tour (5x), the Kentucky Fall Foliage Tour, the Sallisaw Tour, the Rocky Mountain Tour, the Canyonlands III Tour, the round trips to both Dearborn and Richmond, and a number of local club tours.
It seemed to me that the only appropriate way to carry the urn with Anja's ashes from the funeral home to the cemetery was in the T, so that's what we did this afternoon. Same as always, me driving and Anja next to me in the passenger seat. This one was the Oak Grove Interment Tour.
Rust in Vrede, Anja.
Dick,
What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful woman.
May God bless you both until you meet in heaven.
Evan in Paso
Dick,
I'm sorry for your loss. I'm also glad you have wonderful memories to cherish and provide comfort.
So sad, and yet so wonderful!
My prayers are with you Dick.
Moving tribute....
You did it right,Dick. Best of luck from this day forward.
Dick,
So sorry for your loss.
You both shared some really wonderful memories together. I just married my sweetheart last month and hope we have the same sort of wonderful memories as you two shared.
Bless you both.
Well done Dick. You are so lucky to have enjoyed life with your wife for so many years.
If anyone asks, drive me to the final resting place in a T running on "MAG".
Dang, my vision got a little blurry reading that. I'm quite sure Anja will always be riding next to you.
Dick,
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. And yes, I think she would have enjoyed the last ride also. As a teenager I hated my Dad’s country music – it was so old fashioned. But over the years I’ve come to appreciate the way it puts words together that help me express my own feelings. If you like country music you have already heard Lonestar’s “I’m already there.” But that was the song that comes to mind as I reflected one what you have been going through. It is on you-tube at: .” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJEP5sWuDi8 after 5 seconds hit the “skip advertisement” in the lower right hand corner – it doesn’t fit the song at all.
If you are not already familiar with the 5 stages of grieving or if you want a quick review, I would suggest take a look at: http://www.way2hope.org/5_stages_of_grief_and_loss.htm -or one of the other reputable sites.
I’ll be praying for you and your extended family. If there is something more that I can do, please let me know.
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off
Dick,
Extremely well said and done.
Sincere Condolences,
Dave
Dick.....I have real empathy for how you felt.
When my 41 year old brother died (long story) I picked up his ashes from the funeral home.
It was one of the few times we spent time together, just the two of us.
He was 11 years my junior so we weren't really that close but that ride "home" was special.
I'm sure the ride with Anja was at least as special.......
Very nice story Dick, our condolences.
Les
Hvil i fred, Anja.
My condolences. May God bless and strengthen you and your family.
Dick,
Thanks for sharing and letting us be in your life. It sounds like touring brought great memories for you and Anja. It is always encouraging to see when the hobby brings couples together.
Matthew
Dick,
So sorry for your loss, thank you for sharing.
Barbara & Les
Beautiful.
Beautiful.
Thank you so much for letting us, who care about you and Anja, share your loss.
Yes, my computer screen has become strangely blurry.
Wayne Sheldon
That is so wonderful Dick. We sent my wife's uncle's ashes down a beautiful creek in northwest Arkansas (not far from Blue Eye, which some of you may remember), a few weeks ago. Dave
Dick,
Sorry for your loss.
That is beautiful.
I lost my wife suddenly a little over four years ago. We were married for 27 years. It takes a while to be able to talk about it without choking up or shedding a tear, but it does get better. It's just terribly painful for a while. Just keep busy and take care of yourself. Those who have gone before us are in a better place.
greg
Wonderful honor Dick, I remember the 08 tour when my son and I took dad's ashes on his last tour. I remember Anja thought it was a great idea too. Everybody else knew too and said so. I'm so happy that the idea rubbed off on you too. G.Bless
George and Tim n L.A.
PS: Dad on the fender.
Dick, Thanks so much for sharing your touching story and a fitting end to this part of her life.
I've thought of you many times since her passing. Again when we were in Kanab and especially during my thoughts of the accident there.
Take comfort remembering all the great tours and times you had together.
No one likes to say good bye to friends and loved ones But when you are not given that opportunity to do so it makes loss all the harder.
I've been through this loss twice so far and experienced it both ways.
Glad you had your opportunity and your in my thoughts Dick.
Dick, what a wonderful fitting tribute to a wonderful woman. You will see her again, but I know this parting time is especially rough. I carried my mother's ashes and my son and I buried her last November. We placed the box in the grave and covered it with dried flowers from the funeral and then we both filled in the grave. You and Anja are in our thoughts and prayers.
I want to bring this thread to an end, but want to tell George Clipner that I think that his bringing his Dad on his final Hillbilly Tour, and Anja's approval of the idea at that time, played a role in my decision. I only regret that I didn't take any pictures of Anja's last tour.
Thank you to all who added to the thread and for all your kind words. I miss her terribly, but life will go on. I am heartened by the many fond remembrances of her.
Thank you Dick, our best to you always.
Tim & George n L.A.