[Spridgets] Ruminations on OSHITs and Frank

[Ron Corry]

Hi Mark,

Well, you certainly wet my eyes this morning. What a wonderful expression
of altruism and kindness! And also, so heart-warming to read the other
posts commenting favourably on your post and reminiscing on joyful
occasions in the past. Thank you all.

I was privileged to visit with Frank in the late 1990s, when he showed me
around his cars, his workshop and then entertained myself and my sons with
his family. We had driven from Albany NY, (whilst on holiday there), to
Toms River, to get to meet the great man. Just what a character he was, and
his all-too-early passing was, and remains, such a loss. I still recall
that afternoon/evening with such mixed happiness and sadness at what now
cannot be replicated.

However, Frank's spirit lives on. Only three weeks ago, at a meeting of our
recently formed Ireland Area of the Midget and Sprite Club, I introduced
the concept of an OSHIT (to some hilarity), and having explained its origin
and purpose, we agreed to hold one early next year! One of our members is
busy with work and life and is bogged down in his Midget 1500 rebuild.
Thankfully, his wife has also bought into the idea, and all we need to do
now is to set the date once we see what 2022 looks like, Covid-19 wise. I
am really looking forward to this event.

Thank you, Mark, for such an inspirational post and also again for your
most welcome package earlier this year with a part for my spare 1275 Ital
engine. You truly live the maxim, "Pay It Forward".

Kindest regards,

Ron, in Ireland.



On Sat, 23 Oct 2021 at 01:43, Mark Haynes via Spridgets <
spridgets at autox.team.net> wrote:

> This'll be a little long, so bear with me or just delete as you see fit.
> I was having a beer with a friend who got me into AutoX last night and he
> mentioned that he'd told his wife about how I travelled to Dodge City to
> help out Jim Johnson with his Sprite. he inferred that I did it because it
> was pay back, and I told him no, that I did it 'um, I'm not sure why'.
> Today I was stacking wood for the winter, which is a kind of meditative
> process, and realized that the reason why I am willing to travel long
> distances to help  people that I've never met is Frank Clarici, and his
> motto "Pay it Forward".
> This realization that Frank is still affecting my life and correcting my
> attitude was very powerful. That a man who I never met could have such a
> long lasting affect on me and my approach to others simply astonishes me.
> The fact that OSHITs are still occurring is a testament to what he
> believed, that there is always someone out there willing to devote their
> time and skills to help others who are unable to finish a labor of love. I
> have found that I enjoy the sharing of the knowledge and skills we all have
> acquired, both ways, is one of the best parts of an OSHIT, not to mention
> the prodding and poking and general lack of any respect for one's person 😜.
> The ability of everyone to come together from great distances and work
> toward a common goal for another is such a gift to all who are involved,
> not the least of whom is the car owner. My local British car buddies are
> great, but having the opportunity to come together with folks from so
> distant is a gift that I cannot express.
> If you're still reading this, I'm sure that you too, knew Frank. If you've
> never taken part in an OSHIT, I would encourage you to do so, you'll meet
> like-minded folks, enjoy some laughs, make some memories, make some
> friends, drink some beers and most of all, create an enduring memorial to
> The Dean of Spridgets, Frank Clarici.
> As always, PAY IT FORWARD!
> Mark Haynes
> It only goes one way- Pay It Forward
> ------------------------
>
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