Mom always told me to be kind to others. And the obligatory: “If you can’t say something nice, then say nothing at all.” With God’s help and practicing kindness, I can’t say I’ve done too badly. But this past week, kindness came in a rather unusual way: two vehicles.
I’ve written here about our 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis LS. Originally bought to shuttle my in-laws around after Paul stopped driving, it been a near perfect car for those duties. But like many things, life has changed. My mother-in-law passed away peacefully on July 29, 2023. Then in December of that year, after bringing hospice in, Paul now resides at a nursing home.
Meanwhile; my next door neighbor is a wonderful man. He has helped me with personal things, has been willing to drive any of us to the doctor if needed, has mowed the lawn, and has taught me about living in the South. Well, after I think 290,000 miles his 2012 Nissan Rogue gave out. Knowing that right now he’s tight financially, I offered him to use the Mercury for as long as he needed.
He then told my mechanic he was embarrassed to accept the offer as it was; instead, he wanted to buy the car but had no way to do so. Not really sure how to proceed, after a few days, we told him to enjoy the car and pay us whenever he could.
How could I know that this act would mean so very much? He has thanked me over and over.
So now I needed a vehicle. My beloved Cadillac (Ralph in honor of my dad) doesn’t need to be driven daily. Two things came into my head as should haves: Towing ability (5000-7000lbs) and something to travel in. So I bought a very nice 28 year old Chevy Astro van with 140,000 miles and a Southern Comfort package.
Great! So I can drive the van in yucky but not snowy weather, the wife’s T-Bird once the new transmission is done later this summer, the Cadillac in nice weather, or the 2024 Nissan Rogue with AWD in snow. (Please stop laughing about us owning a Rogue!)
The Southern Comfort, after being cleaned up and shampooed by our son-in-law.
But wait! Since my daughter, son-in-law, grandson, and our son all live here (more kindness) they tend to become very vocal about my vehicle corral. Soon, my daughter and son-in-law fell in love with Rosie, the Astro van!
My wife and I just chuckled. They now want to buy it and in fact, are so serious that they invited Cindy and me along with them to Myrtle Beach on their next trip.
While I often joke, please think about one act of kindness you might do; if we can do one nice thing for anyone, I believe we should. And in my case, it happened to be two vehicles. So send someone a text, take them for a cup of coffee, and listen.
Related CC reading:
CC Capsule: 2003-05 Mercury Grand Marquis Ultimate – Truth In Advertising?
Chip, you’re my hero. I’ve increasingly become a practitioner of random acts of kindness as there’s a deficit of that in the world, one which seems bottomless.
Thanks for sharing; that’s another one of your acts of kindness.
You sir are my hero. Not knowing much about you, I do know that you’ve been through a painful experience that I cannot even imagine. My sister has lost two children; one in an accident where he was highly intoxicated, the other after being clean from drugs and trying one more time. Our own son went through a series of psychotic events where we felt our lives were in danger, although no drugs were ever found. These days, he’s become a recluse. But Cindy and I are both Christians and truly believe in the power of prayer. This neighbor that got the GM helped us clean up and watched over our home during that time, so I could never fully give back. (I hope it’s OK that I do say prayers for you)
I’m a truly blessed person. And while my forced retirement at 55 (7 years ago) has not allowed me to build wealth, I want to help where I can.
The van was just a total need that ended up bringing pleasure to my kids.
I enjoy it when I read about the lives of people, the writer or others, which have cars just as an excuse. Chip, congrats on your kindness, on the education your Mom gave you, and on your columns.
Thank you. It’s what I feel is the right thing to do
Thank you Chip, acts like yours materialy make the world a better place and are a beacon of hope in troubled times. A reminder that we can change things if we act both individually and collectively.
Nice Mercury, I have a soft spot for these and their Crown Vic cousins.
We had a 95 Town Car in 07-11 that we really enjoyed. It went to another TC lover.
So when this GM came up, we had to have it. It’s been really dependable and only had 147,000 last time I drove it. Don told me that it rolled 150,000!
You’re a good Man Chip ;
I’m the same and have been the recipient of more than a few acts of kindness .
These days it’s ever more important .
I -may- be finally succumbing and buying a mini van, Chevrolet Tracker, I have been impressed by it’s tiny foot print yet carrying ability since my son bought it years ago .
I feel sorry for those who never grasp “paying things ahead” .
-Nate
I agree. Not experiencing the joy of giving is sad.
My mom knew being poor as they were raised on a farm. She was born in 1921 so just before the depression. But she shared with me many times how little they had.
The colour of those velour seats in the Astro looks to be the same as the seats in the Cadillac. Beautiful colour, and looking great after 28 years!
There is a Chevy Astro van on the next street over from me still in great condition. I keep meaning to shoot it one day on my dog walks.
Paying things forward is a great gift to yourself, and to those who benefit. Eventually the concept sinks in and it helps to spread the goodwill.
Me? I’m laughing because you bought an Astro!
Hey, Astro van are the cockroaches of mini vans!! This one only has 140,000 miles and the owner told me that they used it for vacations only.
What a great deed! It’s one thing to offer such terms to family, but for a neighbor or friend, you went above and beyond.
Thank you. But, as mom would say, it’s not about me…it’s me being responsive to God.
Plus I was given my Cadillac by my wife! I only waited 45 years.
It’s always a pleasure to read your articles, often for your positive spin on tough situations, or your acts of selflessness. Thanks once again for a great piece.
I hope your neighbor gets a lot of use out of the Grand Marquis. My wife and I had a 2006 Crown Victoria that had (uncharacteristically for its breed) a load of problems. But in 2012, we lent that car to my wife’s parents for six months because her dad had a stroke and couldn’t climb into their pickup. It performed flawlessly for them, for which I’ve always been thankful.
Oh, and I don’t blame your daughter and son-in-law for liking the Astro – I definitely see its appeal!
You are very kind. When I was originally invited by Rich, I’d never written anything.
So to get positive feedback is huge.
We loved both the Grand Marquis and I enjoy the Astro.
But if they bring happiness to others, that’s a win in my book. Son-in-law already washed the curtains and shampooed the insides! Today he reminded me that we can drive it whenever.
Great job, Chip. You are to be commended for your kindness, and I know you live with a fulfilled heart.
And nothing wrong with a Rogue. The newest model is a great vehicle in and of itself.
Thank you.
The Rogue was a big need! The 18 Sierra we were driving had a torque converter was standing by the time clock and felt like it was going at any minute. I told the dealer that I wanted three row seating and no turbo engines. Hmmmmm!
But at 13500 we’ve had no issues and the dynamic braking has saved us two times where someone pulled out and where a sheriff was standing still on a dark rainy night with only hazard lights on.
Well done and an example for all of us. As a northerner, Southern Comfort is hard liquor to sip, not an envious and extremely cushy, interior! Love Astros!
Good to know! I was saddened to see that Southern Comfort vans, a family owned company, went under in 2009
I always enjoy reading stories about kindness and decentness and you seem to exhibit so much of it Chip. Good on you. You inspired me to do something kind this morning
Such great comments here on a great post. Thank you Chip.
From a purely automotive perspective, I think you’ve found the perfect vehicles to pay forward with. That Mercury will probably last your neighbor at least as long as his Rogue did…and I’ll take what folks say here about the Astro and its cockroach-like survivability. I certainly see enough of them to believe that.