I was backing out of a parking space at the hospital. My 57 Chevy began acting like it wasn’t getting fuel. I pumped the gas peddle a couple times and heard a pop sound, like when the propane in a barbecue ignites.
I thought, “Great, I’ve backed over something or a part fell off,” but suddenly a path of liquid fire was streaming away on the pavement in front of my car, and the Torch Red paint in the center of the hood was literally dancing – mesmerizing!
Instantly smoke and flames were pouring out of every escape from the doors forward.
I quickly turned the key off, got out, opened the trunk, grabbed the fire extinguisher (that had been waiting for this moment for 10 years), opened the hood and sprayed the fire out. It was an adrenaline powered moment.
Without that extinguisher I would have been able to do nothing but stand and watch it burn. A couple guys rushed over to see if they could help, someone called the fire department but the flames were out long before they arrived.
The smoke cleared and the dust settled. Things were burnt and things were melted. The fuel filter had come off. After removing what was left of the air filter and reconnecting the fuel line, I was able to start it up and drive it home (with no lights or signals).
It was a stark reminder that this car is a thing and not a loved one. It’s a thing I enjoy very much, but a thing just the same.
And as I was reminded, things can unexpectedly be gone in an instant, but things can be repaired and things can be replaced.
Loved ones can be gone in an instant. People can not be replaced. I am so thankful for treasured moments and precious memories with friends and loved ones in my life, especially my wife. These are gifts from God, and are infinite blessings to me.
