Some reflections on the Cluster at Buster's... my turn
Not too far from Buster's house is a thriving business that
manufactures magical moments and memories from money and mouse
droppings. Its fireworks are easily visible and audible from Buster
and Pam's garage. It happens every night of the year. People pay
their money to have someone perform for them; to hear "It's a Small
World" ad nauseam, and to have the warm feeling that human-kind is
doing just fine, that we're all one big happy family, until they
leave the gates.
Meanwhile, twenty-odd people, who mostly know each other only via
e-mail postings, show up at Buster's and there's REAL magic. Everyone
pulled together for a single cause; to get Buster and Pam riding in
their Sprite by Sunday. This was not done for sympathy or charity,
but for the basest of all rationales, it just - felt - good. Simple.
Buster may think that he and Pam are the recipients of something
special, but I'm sure we all came away with something special. It was
quickly obvious that the Sprite was the medium, not the message. Pam
was clearly in her element caring for a bunch of hungry and thirsty
dirty old, and young, men. The camaraderie was astounding.
When Ron first posed the possibility, it was a no-brainer. I have
been the recipient of his, Frank's and some other listers' generosity
in the past. Certainly I would participate but not because I felt I
owed it, but rather I knew how good it would feel for Buster and Pam.
What I didn't know was how rewarding it would be to be amongst all of
these fine people. It is interesting that despite different
backgrounds, incomes, jobs, and politics, a common passion exists for
these cars, humble as they are.
Buster and Pam, you guys are very deserving of this small gift. Ron,
thanks for being the catalyst (cat-a-list?). The rest, thanks for
being yourselves. It was a real treat for me to be with you all in
this adventure.
Let's do it again!
Peter Caldwell
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