posted 09-20-2006 04:39 PM                  

A Special Ride

I apologize for the length of this story, but I felt you would enjoy reading it..it's worth it.

On Sunday, Sept. 10, Bob and I had the honor of surprising Joanne with her first Prowler ride. Joanne's daughter, Valerie, called me Sunday morning and told me that she felt she needed to cancel the schedule surprise. She said that her mother wasn't feeling well and when she had mentioned to her on Saturday that they had a surprise for her on Sunday, Joanne said she didn't think she was up for any surprise. Unfortunately, the weather was much cooler and cloudy, so obviously a ride with the top down was definitely out.

In talking with Valerie that morning, I suggested that instead of totally canceling, that we would come by just so she could see the cars. Valerie had invited several of her family members for the surprise ride and luncheon. It seemed a shame to cancel all the work she had done. I told her that it was okay if we didn't actually go for a ride, but it might cheer her up to see the cats. I figured Joanne could decide if she wanted to go or not. Valerie agreed to proceed.

We arrived at Joanne's house with the Candy Cat and the CAL KID cat at the appointed time of noon. Jerry (Valerie's friend who started this whole thing in motion) was outside with a video camera. When I came up the driveway in the CAL KID, they brought Joanne out on the porch. Her face literally lit up and a big grin spread across her face. She was so excited and she just couldn't believe what she was seeing. After introductions between all of us, she came down off the porch to get a closer look at the cats. She was going on and on about how cool and beautiful they were. She said she would have never guessed that was what the surprise was. There was lots of smiling and oohhing and aaahhing going on, along with lots of video and picture taking. After a time, I told her I had one question for her. She asked "what?" and I asked her if she wanted to go for a ride. She looked at me and said "absolutely!!!". I asked her which car she wanted to ride in and she said..."the flamed one of course!!" I think her family was pretty shocked that she wanted to go. I gave her my Prowler jacket to wear and she got in the car. She told me that she might not want to go too far, and I said okay...just tell me where you want me to drive. We ended up going about 20 miles round trip. As we were driving on the surface street, she asked if I could take it out on the freeway and so we did. Once we got on I-94, she asked if I could "get into it" a little bit (she knew it was supercharged) and of course I obliged her. I wish I could have had a video camera mounted inside the car. She talked and laughed the whole ride, telling me all about her life's adventures. Of course, we were getting lots of thumbs ups and she was giving everyone thumbs ups back, grinning the whole time. Bob drove the Candy Cat and Joanne's son Bob rode with him. At one point, Bob called over the radio and asked if we were doing okay. When I pushed the button on the radio to talk, Joanne shouted that we were doing GREAT!!! lol!

When we got back, Valerie was shocked at how far we went. She was shocked that her mother went at all. After more pics, we went inside for lunch. Valerie had told me that her mother wasn't eating much these days due to the chemo treatments (she was diagnosed with liver cancer shortly after her 70th birthday last year), but she put a half of a croissant sandwich on her plate with a large mound of macaroni salad. She ate every bit of it and I think it was the adrenaline rush working!!!

I had put together a little gift bag for Joanne. In it was a small booklet that I made for her. I did a cover page with her picture and a title that said Joanne's First Prowler Cruise and a picture of the two cats we took. I wrote a letter to her that said......

Dear Joanne,

It has been a great pleasure and an honor to meet you and your family. It has been even a greater pleasure to be able to give you your very first ride in the car of your dreams.......

You are very fortunate to have family and friends who love you so much and have worked so hard to arrange this surprise for you.

I shared your story with the members of our Prowler community and they have posted their thoughts to you on our website. I have included these messages to you in this small momento of this occasion.

May God Bless You and keep you in his care and know that you are loved and treasured by your family and friends.

I included a printed copy of the thread that the owners posted to. She said she was going to read it when she was alone so she could cry. I responded that it wasn't supposed to make her cry and she said they were happy tears. She also said that her faith in people had greatly increased and marveled that people who didn't even know her would go to all that trouble. I also gave her one of the Candy Red diecasts and one of the Black Prowler diecast that came with the tin box, one of the Prowler notepads and a Candy Red Prowler pencil. I also gave her a copy of the Woodward Dream Cruise video that Mike and Karen just produced and she was anxious to see that. I told her that it was from the Prowler community. Joanne asked me to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

After a long afternoon of visiting with her and her family, we left at about 4:45 pm...........walking out the door feeling that we had known these people forever. She came back outside before we left and we did more pics. She whispered to me that she knew she was on borrowed time, but that this was one of the best things that happened to her. I told her that from the time we are born we are all on borrowed time and what we do with that time is what is important. She is a wonderful, spunky lady (even through the situation she is in right now) and I am very lucky to have met her and her family. She is very much loved and her family is lucky to have her. Valerie and I will stay in touch and she will keep me updated on her mother. I am going to send her the link to this thread, so if you like you can say hello to Joanne and Valerie.

As Prowler owners, we are very lucky to have these cars. It was such a moving thing for me to be able to share the enjoyment of these cars with someone like Joanne. They are special people indeed. I spoke with Valerie a couple of days ago to see how Joanne did after her special day. She said she was very tired, but very happy.

Thank you, Jerry and Valerie, for finding us and allowing us to be part of a very special day in Joanne's life.

Here are some pictures.........

posted 09-20-2006 04:45 PM                  

L to R - Joanne's son Bob, daughter Valerie, Joanne and son Randy

Joanne in a Prowler for the first time

Joanne enjoying her first cruise

L to R - Grandaughter Kim, daughter Valerie and Joanne

posted 09-20-2006 05:14 PM                  

Joanne, WELCOME ! You are now an official member of the Prowler Family and for that we are blessed. With having the need for speed, you sound like a lady after my own heart. I am so glad Bob and CJ were able to bring you such joy. You will remain in our thoughts and prayers. May God Bless You and your loving family and friends.

Rich and Linda Ware

posted 09-20-2006 05:26 PM                  

quote:

---

Originally posted by CJ:
Dear Joanne,

May God Bless You and keep you in his care

---

Thank you CJ for sharing this beautiful story with us. As far as I'm concerned...your story wasn't long enough.

God bless you all for be so considerate. Taking the time out of your busy lives to make someone so happy.

Brian

posted 09-20-2006 05:38 PM                  

May God Bless,

posted 09-20-2006 07:11 PM                  

.....Your picture's been plastered all over the internet showing you sitting in that old beat up "hot rod" in Michigan and,..... no doubt, you've gotten a lot of "fan mail".....

.....But just remember this....There's still a lot of guys in Cincinnati that are standing in line to take you for a "spin" around the block!!!

posted 09-20-2006 08:26 PM                  

CJ your truly a wonderful person.

God Bless you all, may you ride in a Prowler again Joanne.

Curtis

posted 09-20-2006 09:26 PM                    

------------------
"IT'S GOOD TO RUB ELBOWS WITH SNO"

posted 09-20-2006 11:34 PM                  

It isn't the car that is special, it's the people that are so special, the car is just the common denomanator

You have a GREAT SMILE

------------------
Larry & Sue Mayes

posted 09-21-2006 12:35 AM                  

You sure have come a long way in regards to taking your picture. I remember when you wanted to hurt me if I took your picture back in 2001 at Jody and Paul house.

The best pictures I could get were these back in the days..

Phil Schirico is in this picture ... RIP Phil S.

Your no longer an intravert when it comes to pictures.

Keep up the GREAT work!! Love your new KAT!

posted 09-21-2006 01:18 AM                  

+++++++++
In behalf of my Prowler family,
Here's a prayer poem for Joanne...

On mornings when Joanne awakens and feels the blessings.
It's another great day as she sees & feels the sun above.
With satisfaction she softly says, "Good morning Lord,
I Thank You again and please bless everyone I love."

The loved ones realize & think of their sweet Joanne.
While they hold together and say their loving prayer.
They gaze above with eyes closed, "Please bless her,
Give her good health & keep her free from pain & care".

They all go on with life & think of all the happiness.
Their family pictures show excitement down to the core.
Beneath the joys, their hearts & minds focus on Joanne.
They reflect & contemplate, "No one deserves it more".

Everyday, loved ones all feel so blessed & great inside.
Empowered by God, their loving hearts are all aglow.
They know God listens to all their prayers for Joanne.
The power of prayers, He hears them all... you know.

We wish Joanne the best of luck
and speedy recovery.

El and the Aliga family
Island Prowla'

posted 09-21-2006 07:05 AM                  

I still don't like it, but the older I get, the more tired my legs get dodgin' those cameras. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do........LOL

I suggested to Valerie that she read and print off this thread so she can add it to Joanne's booklet.....so be nice!