I will always remember sitting at our dinner table listening to my father’s stories about his upbringing. His vivid recollections caused me to see the world through his eyes and feel as if I was actually there. He often talked about how he worked and saved every penny to buy an old 1967 Fastback Mustang when he was 16 years old. He then spent hours reading repair manuals at the library teaching himself how to repair the engine and the body. This car was an important part of his youth and became a companion, of sorts, to his high school and college memories. He talked about his adventures with friends, taking long drives alone, running out of gas, or having so-called “near-death experiences.”

I always found myself smiling and laughing. But when he talked about meeting and falling in love with my mother during college, I could immediately tell this was something far more meaningful to him than just fun memories and adventures. This was something deeply special to him. There was nothing more valuable than his relationship and love affair with my mom. Nothing. When my dad wanted to propose to my mother, the only thing he had of any monetary value was his prized 1967 Fastback Mustang. He loved that car and all the memories connected with it. He sold his Mustang to buy my mother’s wedding ring.

He gave up something he loved, for something he loved even more. Sometimes, I would think about the person who bought my Dad’s Mustang. I thought of where it would take that person. I wanted them to honor a legacy of personal stories that not only made me laugh, but stirred my thoughts, imagination, and ignited a sense of deep commitment. I hoped to help others recognize that the Mustangs in our lives, can lead us to deeper and more meaningful ends than we initially expect.