Dad's Big Red Ram

 In three more days, February 25, 2021, it will be 5-years since my dad passed away from cancer. It is still unbelievable to me that he is gone. I'd say there hasn't a day gone by that I haven't thought of him in some way. One of the constant reminders is seeing his big red Dodge Ram truck sitting in my driveway. Every time I see it, I think of how much dad loved that truck. 

Dad posing with his "new to him" 1996 Dodge Ram

Growing up, dad never had a new vehicle of any kind. He usually had something that someone else had already used up and then he bought it and constantly made repairs to it when it would break down. Even though dad would drive nearly any make of vehicle, he always seemed to favor a Chrysler product even though he would admit they didn't have any resell value and often broke down. But, to dad, a large Dodge was a sign of masculinity. I remember he used to want a Chrysler Cordova because he thought it was a manly car, but he never did get one.

When dad was finally able to bring himself to buy a really nice used truck, he chose the Ram. He said it was a "man's truck," and it is. The sheer size alone takes someone with a lot of grit to drive it on the road. My mother bought him some chrome step bars for it to make it easier to climb up in. She used to keep a step stool inside for the times she would get in it. 

Dad enjoying two of his favorite things; fishing and his Ram

When dad would come over to our house to pick up my son for a fishing trip, he would pull into the lower lot at the Church where we used to live in the parsonage, and circle around just outside our bedroom window. It would jar us awake and sounded like the world was coming to end when the big 360 V-8 with dual exhausts would circle around. I made the video below last year, it doesn't really do the big rumbling sound justice but gives you an idea.

In the last few weeks before dad got too bad off to get out, he and I drove to the gas station to fill the Ram up with gas. He always put the 100% gas in it, even though it cost a lot more because he said it ran better on it. It was strange with me driving and him sitting in the passenger seat. He had me take the long way home that day. We drove up Ridgeview Road and down Wise Spring and back up Maloneyville. I had no idea that would be the last time dad would get to ride in his big red Ram. I'm glad he was able to enjoy one last ride. 

One of the last photos with dad and his Ram

Today, I went and sat in dad's Big Red Ram and thought of all the good times we had going to the lake and rambling around in it. I try to keep the Ram looking and running good. I think dad would approve.

Me missing dad.     New driving lights.        Keeping it clean.

I imagine on a day like today dad would have hitched up the boat and headed to Cherokee Lake to fish. I wish we were there right now.