OUR STUFF

Nelson Ledges Chaplain’s Notes  December 2009                                  
It’s that time of year when we think of toys for all the good little girls and boys. And maybe there will be some toys for some not “always good” big girls and boys. I am convinced that most racers like their stuff. Sometimes it is their racecar itself, a thing of beauty and speed. Other times it is their tools, enough that could keep even the most highly strung machine purring like a kitten. Maybe it is trophies they won or the winner’s cap or checkered flag. The photographs of victories, defeats or maybe just being out there competing are a treasure to most. (I think I looked great in my picture in that $ 1,500 borrowed Hankook driver’s suit at the Nelson LeMons race.) For those who are more in the spectator mode it may be models of their favorite races cars or a print of a famous victory. Racers and stuff seem to go together.
    
I have just helped my parents, Ralph and Betty Gray, move 200 miles from the home they lived in Troy, Ohio for 46 years into the beautiful Breckenridge Senior Center in Willoughby, Ohio. To downsize some of their stuff took two garage sales, an auction, too many individual sales to count, and numerous trips to the Restore and other donation centers. With all the downsizing, it has still been like trying to put seven gallons into a five gallon bucket. But even as I helped them move things I never would move, I realized that much of the stuff is wrapped up in memories of good times, good people and those interests that make life enjoyable like racing. I did inherit a 1/18 scale model of the Viper that won the Daytona 24 Hour overall and the 1967 Petty Plymouth that set the record for the most NASCAR wins in a season. (My Dad is a Chrysler Man.)  

We give gifts at Christmas because the Three Wise Men brought gifts to the Baby Jesus that blessed Him and his Mother. I treasured gifts that I received at Christmas like my Lionel Train Set and My Aurora AFX slot car set that hooked me on racing. This is the great stuff I still have. It is more blessed to give than receive. My small church is around 200. Through our Christmas is for Kids program every year we purchase and have donations of around 400 gifts for nearly 100 families which we wrap and give with large food baskets, I know the joy of helping the less fortunate. But it is also a treat when someone who loves you gets you that perfect racing gift. Now if I find a copy of the new book Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman under my Christmas tree, it will bring me joy.

Merry Christmas!
Chaplain Gray
chapnlrc@aol.com