“A Drive To Think” in my case, is not something I created. My Mother gave it to all her kids. By taking us on drives in the country to establish our love for the natural beauty of Michigan, and by giving us the healthy genes and the inner drive necessary to succeed in the manufacturing speedway of the world.
From the beginning of the 1960’s, when Mom might get Dad’s hand-me-down station wagon, to the mid ‘70’s, when Mom’s job bought the car I used to get my driver’s license, the Midwest economy thrived and changed. Cars were not only plentiful, but incomes allowed more interest by more teams in circle track racing, surely as my brothers and friends poured money into street rods. The result was more worried Moms happy because their kids were happy.
The evolution of mothers to the extreme, Blackberry in one hand and steering wheel in the other, ‘Soccer Mom’ of today is the latest giant leap for mankind since the moon landing, in terms of trends. Just the type to like fast and loud cars racing each other or crashing, and have daughters like fourteen year old Kelsey Steele who are part of the present and future of auto racing.
Evolution or not, some things never change. Anybody out there take their Mother for a ride in the country or to the races for Mother’s Day; stand in a long line waiting for a table at her favorite breakfast joint, or to get her a souvenir on race night; take her to church or buy her spring plants for the garden. Did your Mom watch the Sprint Cup race with you or help you fix the race car; did she work in an assembly plant or at the payout window of the track. Are you forever honoring her with your work and your pleasure; do you feel like you could never pay her back for all she has done though you try. Do you make a little extra time for your daughter to add on ... keep on!
This year my Mother got some flowers and visits, dinner and a web site for the grandkids to keep connected with her. I drove her to church and for fresh asparagus (only in Michigan). I got to look her in the eyes to wish her a happy Mother’s Day, and see that smile.
One year ago today, I called my Mother with the mountains of Anchorage Alaska at my back and Cook Inlet in my eyes. I had just driven the Alaska Highway alone seeing sights most never will. Next I had to turn around and see them again on the way back. First I called my Mother on Mother’s Day and wrote these words:
Mother of and Mother to
the alpha and the omega.
There at all beginnings and ends,
incarnate this life in deeds alone.
Say not the music of my heart lies.
For my skin alone bares ‘this’ soul of her energies.
Physics teaches death alone couldn’t end that
for which I speak, only we two shall know.
No beginning and no end to my mother.
Just endless cycles, as breaths from my newborn seem.
As I’ll be there for the last breath he takes,
no green or checkered, just good racing between
