Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 11:40:58 -0600
Reply-To: Bill Johnson <bjohns@DTX.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bill Johnson <bjohns@DTX.NET>
Subject: Fw: emotional - not technical VANAGON content (so there)
Sniff Sniff....
----- Original Message -----
From: Melissa J. Cullison <MelissaC@CAPLAN.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, November 19, 1999 11:28 AM
Subject: emotional - not technical VANAGON content (so there)
Hello all
Before you read further, if you are offended by personal stories on this
list then DELETE THIS IMMEDIATELY!!! I'm fed up with the argument about
list content. I wish it wasn't Friday so I could violate the guidelines
even further. As it is I'll have to settle for sucking up bandwidth. I'm
gonna post this and dare anyone to flame me.
We fell in love with Westys by renting one from Roamin Holidays (the fine
business now for sale) in Albuquerque, NM in 1997. Since then we have
searched high and low for one of our own.
In March of this year I was diagnosed with cancer. Big surprise, Big scare
Big DEAL. Despite successful surgery, follow-up chemo was prescribed
because of the size of the tumor and my relatively young (40) age. I
prepared for 6 months of misery. Into the 2nd horrible month of chemo we
found a van for sale on this list. It was near enough for us to drive to
and the price was right. We bought it and placed it on show in our
driveway to brighten my days every time I looked at it.
We had to purchase about $1100.00 of replacement parts from The Bus Depot,
(fine service, by the way) and because my hubby is so handy he replaced the
exhaust system himself - saving us boocoo bucks. He worked on it over the
summer - lovingly improving, adjusting, cleaning, tuning the blue beast for
ME - for US - FOR THE FUTURE. When I had a few hours of feeling "marginal"
I would go out and polish a window - or wash the curtains - or vacuum a
seat - then I would go back to bed. This van was a summer-long project and
a symbol of our positive attitude. This van brought more smiles to my face
than anything this past summer. We would go out a few cool evenings and
just sit in it - reminisce about camping in New Mexico - or share a meal at
the table. I felt relief imagining fun times to come.
During the summer I wrote for Vanagon/Westy help on this list and people
responded generously. I felt like I was part of a community - maybe a
van-obsessed community - but great people, great stories and lots of
advice. I've enjoyed meeting a few of the listees in my area and swapping
anecdotes. I get the list in digest mode and I can scroll past subjects
that don't interest me. I really enjoy the personal stories - I am
thrilled about Ken's new daughter and I was relieved that Alison was OK,
and sorry that she lost her beloved van. I enjoyed hearing about Bill
Dummitt's trip to Alaska and all other long vacation yarns.
Chemo is over - follow up exams look good. My future looks pretty darn
good, and WE"RE GOING CAMPING for the first time next weekend. I have a
lot to be thankful for this season. My health, my husband, my van, this
list - to name just a few.
I say don't change it.
Happy Holidays to everyone. CHERISH your health, your life, your loved
ones. Next time you ride in your vans, think of me in my blue beast "MO"
(Mobile Oasis in Missouri (MO)) and the joy these machines often bring us.
Melissa