When my wife's father turned 80 we took his driving privileges. 6 Weeks ago at age 64 I surrendered my own.
    My chronic fatigue has advanced to the point walking is an ordeal. I am not going to miss my freedom as much as I will miss my bobcat.
The body shop did an amazing job in August. I don't believe in it's 42 year life it has ever looked better. It gets lots of attention.
    The car has become my social life. I know you all understand. Strangers talk to me constantly. I feel like a celebrity, but it's not really me, it's the car. I seldom leave the house with out talking to one or up to ten people.
    I don't have many friends, after my health caused me to retire, my social circle has shrunk. I still made temporary friends, everyday when I drove my car.
My truest friend, my most loved friend is my bobcat. I named him Bob of course.
    Those who know me inquire how Bob is doing the same way one would ask about my wife.
    I don't expect to recover. I don't believe I will live much longer. I will continue to come here every day and live the pinto life through you all.
Thank you for the contributions you have all made that improved my and Bob's lives.


Bill Fallert

Bill, does your wife still drive? If she does, have her chauffeur you around.
I know it's not the same, but you can still enjoy the Pinto and the attention.

It takes real courage to do what you have done.

Russ

     So I took your advice before you gave it. I have a buddy I go to shows with. He has a 56 Belair and we go to 5 or 6 events per year. I asked him to drive us up to Boulder for lunch tomorrow in my car. It is a 20 minute drive from where I live. (Arvada) I hope to take the highway on the way up, and back roads returning. I want to give Bob a workout. I do not know if he has ever driven a Ford.  He is in for a treat. 
     I think it must be strange optics to see an 82 year old man seeing to the needs of someone  much younger.  I am grateful to have him.
Bill

I was right. Can you imagine that at age 82 my friend had never driven a Ford. Last June I offered him a t-shirt from a all Ford car show that featured my car on it. He said being a Chevy man he just could not wear it.

Like Dwayne I'm 62 also.  I sometimes wonder if it will be others and not myself that eventually has me stop driving. I can hardly drive down a LA area freeway without feeling I have dodged a number of accidents.  People will blow by me at 80+ MPH and cut across without signaling. They cut so close that it is rather startling. On one 50 mile trip to the airport my wife must have screamed three times.

  Another thing is people wandering in the lanes. I'm assuming it is their %$#! phones. Recently I had a jacked up truck fly by me going at least 80 and his tires were slapping the lane marker dots as it seemed he was less than a foot away from me. Even though I was off to one of my favorite swapmeets I nearly turned around and went home.  I told my wife our car must be magnetic. It is unbelievable how many cars pass me right at the edge of the lane and then as a delayed after thought in their subconscious they center in the lane AFTER they have passed me. Again, I attribute it to phone distraction.

I find the extreme windshield rack on modern cars to exaggerate the perception of cars having the appearance of cutting across lanes when in fact they aren't. Couple that at night with modern headlights casting a wide beam and thus shadows, a car passing can give the same perception of a low flying plane you weren't expecting.

My mother in law, my wife forced her to give up her license at 86. But then she should have never (as in never - ever) been given a license in the first place. Her driving was always abysmal.

I have come to appreciate stop and go traffic on the freeway because it forces people to drive slower and more cautiously.

If your wife still believes you are capable of driving, then that speaks volumes, don't you think? Perhaps take to heart her insight and wisdom and try to take back roads as often as possible. If I lived near you we'd go lots of places together in Bob!

Bill,
part of me wants to say go for it, but then the other part says, if you don't feel safe it isn't worth it. Don't worry about what "other people" might think.
You need to do what you feel comfortable doing.
Russ

Bill,


This was a very touching story! Especially since your story so closely parallels my own. I got my 1973 Runabout in 1976 when I was 21 preparing to enter dental School.  I kept her all these years. She now looks newer than when I bought her used!


I have often thought of what would happen when I could not drive anymore. I will probably sit in the car in the garage, start the engine, and listen to the radio, reminiscing about my youth.


If your wife should ever have to sell Bob after your demise, have her contact me.


Kim

I'm sure some will not like it, but I say go for it if you feel that it might help you.
Sorry to hear you are feeling worse.
Russ

Frankly, I like the idea.  If the deceased wrote out what they would like to say to everyone they will have a captive audience. And if what one has to say doesn't go over well..., well your not there to be embarrassed.  To me it is more about the departed saying "good-bye" than it is about people saying what a great guy someone was..., and then that is forgotten as soon as the food comes out.

You know you got to last long enough for you and your wife to show the Bobcat at the Mercury meet you were telling me about in Colorado this year!

















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I was born in 55, but is my intention to begin it in Oct of  72. That is when I bought my 72 trunk model. Everything else is just Boooring!

Bill,

The body is a mysterious organism. We healers think we give the best treatment. Sometimes the results are outstanding; sometimes they are disappointing.

Tramadol helps pain but does not give one energy to fight fatigue. Perhaps something else is afoot. I am flummoxed about what your illness is and why it attacks such a wide variety of organ systems. Tramadol is a synthetic narcotic and has addiction potential. Doubtless you know this. Be careful. Nevertheless, I am glad to hear you are still alive! You and I were born the same year.

Often times our energy can feel depleted when we are dealing with pain. So, that lack of energy might be more perceived than actual. Once the pain is abated it feels like we have more energy. I think we all need to do what we  see in our best interest. It often seems a toss up between medication to make us feel better but at the cost of side effect over time.

I'm two years your junior (63) and thankfully I'm on no medications. I've had a heart arrhythmia for 40 years but it is mostly aggravated by stress. For about 20 years I took a low level Beta Blocker (Inderal). When I turned 50 my Cardiologist said I need to have an Echocardiagram every year otherwise he would no long continue to be my doctor saying it was "guidelines." I couldn't afford that so I slowly took myself off the Inderal and haven't had anything for 13 years. While I hated being the scrawny kid growing up (6' / 136 lb's at HS graduation) it has keeps me under 170 lb's in my older age. Still I ache all over when I get up in the morning. But, I will myself to be occupied and frankly that to me is the best medicine, keeping your mind off the unpleasant.

Hopefully things will get better for you. In a three year period I got Frozen Shoulder twice, once in each arm. I thought it would never get better but over the course of a year (not seeing any results until month nine) I was eventually healed. Some healing takes a long time and being older doesn't help. Keep yourself occupied as best you can and try and stay active to the degree you are able. All the best.