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Janisse Ray's avatar

so much goodness here.

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Becki Clifton's avatar

Oh Mary, you’re quickly becoming one of my favorite writers! This entire post pulled me in from the memoirs between two friends on different continents to the loss of your brother that punched me in the gut. My parent’s first car was a VW bug and I dreamed of having one myself for my first car. I love the purr of their little engines that can run on so little. Unfortunately, my first car was a 1982 Dodge Omni hatchback with a busted out rear window that I duct taped a rebel flag in…not because I was racist but because I was a REBEL dammit. The cool thing about my little car was I could only START in 2nd gear—real fun at a red light with a slight incline. The poor gal lost her drive shaft on the way home from school one day and it was back to bus riding for my brother and me.

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Mary Dansak's avatar

I loooove these details! What a world! Thank you!!

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Becki Clifton's avatar

Yes & now I think you have sparked a whole essay from me. Thanks! 💜

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Liz Goulart's avatar

Loved this VW story! I had one too! A 1965 green bug. Drove it to Florida in 1974!!!! Loved that car! However, I did drive it above 2nd gear!

Handsome picture of Robert!

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Mary Dansak's avatar

I drove mine in all the gears too. I miss those Beetles!!

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Gary Spangler's avatar

What a wonderful read, Mary Dansak! And as is my usual reaction I ask myself, “Why hasn’t an established publishing house taken one look at your writing and exclaimed, ‘She’s a keeper’ and signed you for a heady amount for your next book ?”

I have zero interest in being disingenuous, Mary. The result of a shared interest in old cars? Driving cars without floorboard?

The loss of your brother, and stalwart friend, read like a blow to my solar plexus. Likely because I lost my baby brother just before he turned 25.

The mix of energy and enthusiasm I find in your posts imparts fuel to my own life.

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Mary Dansak's avatar

That’s so kind Gary. I don’t think that world exists anymore, but if it did, or if I win the lottery, I’m headed to Patagonia for a nine-day trail ride with vaqueros and a herd of loose horses!! Just putting that out in the universe.

Also, I'm sorry as hell about your baby brother. There is nothing like a sibling, and nothing like the death of a sibling. I don't think this gets enough psychic attention in the world. It haunts me more than I can understand.

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Gary Spangler's avatar

Thanks Mary. Our family fabric was already tattered when I showed up. Our dad died four years prior to Jeff’s death. Our older brother already married/gone and I about to start graduate school in Tallahassee, left him rudderless. On a visit home I asked him how he saw his future. He replied, “IF I live to be 25 then I’ll settle down.” He died one month shy of his 25th birthday. There was more than enough blame from this that we all could have had a share.

I hope you win a big ole lottery. Of course for Patagonia plus a nice nest egg.

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