You’ve read about my fondness for the 1935 Ford, the car my parents had when I was born, and how I’d like to have one some day. I’m pleased to report that the day has come, in a modest sort of way.
This past October my cousin Suzy (center, between my sister Rosemary and wife Jill) came to visit us. Suzy and I are second cousins – our grandmothers were sisters – and she wanted to visit the family home town in New Jersey. We made a brief trip to Morristown, where I was born, stopping at Acorn Hall, headquarters and museum of the Morris County Historical Society, to which she had given several family heirlooms.
As we prepared to leave the museum, we made a quick stop in the gift shop. A small ornament on a table caught my eye: it was in the form of a 1935 Ford Deluxe Fordor Sedan, but for color identical to our old car (which I now think must have been a Deluxe, rather than Standard, model). It was priced at a modest $5.00 and there was only one, so I quickly bought it.
On closer examination I found it was a hanging ornament, and a box behind it held a cache of small plastic cars. The small cars were interesting but not exceptional, unlike the Ford on the box top, which was a serendipitous masterpiece.
We trim our tree on Christmas Eve, and it stays up the full twelve days of the season. Most of the ornaments are home made, many by our children, and the rest have a special significance, like the old car given me by a student many years ago when I was teaching Sunday School. The modern version of Mommycar, certainly, has special significance to me, so it has joined our collection of Yuletide treasures.
On Monday, the CarPort will begin its fifth year of operation. I’d like to thank all those who have contributed stories and photos, and all of you who visit on a regular basis. I never cease to be amazed at the reach of the CarPort. Just last week I heard from João in Brazil who emailed that “your site is fantastic!” Thanks, João, and I hope you continue to enjoy it for years to come.
