On this day some 10 years ago, I stumbled on this page as I was searching for some help and a few ideas. I was hoping it would help me in trying to restore my car that had remained on blocks for 37 years, untouched and unloved, broken due to my neglect. Much has transpired since that day. Some 6 years after my first post my car returned to its rightful glory, ready to live up to the reputation as the ultimate driving machine. Much to the thanks of the contributors of this forum. For that I will remain eternally thankful. It was such a treat to climb back in that seat and relive those feelings I experienced the first time I drove the car. If it was not for the support I am not sure if I would have completed the car. Although the last 4 years have brought me as much satisfaction and joy as I could have imagined, unfortunately the last 2 years, the last 12 months especially have been I struggle for me.
I am a retired firefighter. I have been retired now for some 18 years and now after some 30 years of service I am beginning to deal with the physical side affects of those years. Just like everyone on this earth as you get older things change. You are now unable to move as well as you once did. You may be lucky to grow old gracefully, or be able to live our your life on your own terms. Unfortunately my profession has dealt me a hand that I was not prepared for.
First, please indulge me for just few more minutes. Not quite 2 years ago I lost a number of friends, some fireman, some not. All, I considered very good friends. One in particular was Paul Winterton who I am sure you have likely come in contact with. The impact of his passing did not strike me until many months later. After all I have become somewhat numb to have friends pass away because it happens way too often when you work in this profession. (Thanks to Cancer) It was a painful time, COVID was at its height, so isolation was the world we all lived in. Once the restriction were lifted we could all breath again, unfortunately for me I was not quite so anxious to hop in the car a go for a burn. To this day I have yet to drive the scenic highway to Whistler, a road that travelled every other week , or so it would seem. I have yet to attend any local C&C events either. What embarrasses me more than anything, is to bail on our plans to attend Car Week last year, hanging out a few guys that planned on the trip with Paul and myself. My health deteriorated to a point my doctor was emphatic that I do not travel because of a pre existing heart issue that was now problematic. To cap it off, 2 months later two friends committed suicide and another failing in his attempt shortly there after. I was devastated.
Since then I have been suffering the affects of all these episodes. I was in a very dark place for a period of time many things suffered. As a result I am now apart of a support group that deals with retired firefighters who suffer from the affects of PTSD, I am better, but still have those days that are very much a struggle to get thru. So I will now get to the point of this diatribe.
I have decided to withdraw from this community as soon as I can make the necessary arrangements to sell my car. I have struggled to no end in this decision. I will no doubt regret it but I do not wish to put my family through the pain and heartache of trying to sell a car nor the excess of parts that are still taking up space, not to mention my need to maintain any degree of wellness. I should add I am not interested in placing the car on auctions sites. I am not prepared to further risk my mental health in defending any perceived deficiencies or shortcomings of the car by those who lurk on those sites.
I want to take this final opportunity to thank you all that have taken the time to indulge me here. , this decision has weighed greatly on me for a long time and very much appreciate you allowing me to get this off my chest. Thank you all for your support, and friendship the past 10 years. This is a special site with special people I consider myself fortunate to be included in it. Hopefully my car can find someone here.
At the risk of repeating myself yet once again....Thank you
Mike