What are we missing?

Not real sure where my fingers are gonna go this morning, but that urge to write is strong and so here I go...

There are several things that are on my mind to write about, some don't need to be public and will just go into my journal for me and God to discuss. I am sure that He is needing to teach me a lesson or two. I'm willing to learn, mold away God.

Driving down I-35 the other day, a truck passed us pulling a trailer. On the trailer was a beautiful car. I love cars, but I'm not good at knowing the year, make or model. My daddy has always been an antique car lover and I have learned through the years to appreciate the work and money that goes into restoring one.
I watched it as it went by, marveling at the polished chrome and perfect paint job. There was not a scratch on it that I could see. It seemed to snub us as it went by. If it had a nose it would be in the air, and it would have lifted a shoulder to keep from getting any dirt on it's doors from our truck. It was a proud car, accustomed to being treated as royalty...it had done it's years of service and now was enjoying it's "antique" years on a throne for all to see it's beauty.

That's when the thought went through my head..."where is the person that drove that car, 'back in the day' ?"

I literally felt my heart skip a beat, for a split second I lost my breath, and tears filled my eyes. Where is grandma or grandpa that proudly bought that car? Even as I write that sentence, I feel my chest tighten.
How, as a society, can we justify the way we display antique furniture and cars, while we so easily forget the people?
I live in a town where people come from all around to search through the antique stores for treasure.
What kind of beautiful treasures do we have sitting in nursing homes all over our nation?
People with wisdom and knowledge, stories that are slowly being forgotten, characters that would cheer us up, women that know what it means to be a "lady", and men that know how to be a "gentleman".
Our own moms, dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles are worthy of polishing with hugs, restoring with respect, and displaying as they proudly tell us a story of days gone by.

I grew up with one grandmother. I was blessed to spend everyday with her for a summer when I was about 11. My mom and dad both worked and it was a lonely time for me. But, I would get up every morning and ride my 10 speed across town to her little apartment. We would spend the day playing cards, reading books, taking walks and just visiting. I have vivid memories of those days, and cherish the time she spent with me. Through my Mammy, God worked in my life. That summer was part of His intentional plan for me. My Mammy was a willing vessel.

What if?

What if we treated those that are crowned with gray hair better than the vehicles that they drove, the chairs they sat in or the stove they cooked on?

What if we revered life more than the material? What if we protected life like we do the stuff we have?

What changes would we see in our world?

I know that I have to let this sink in, and see how I can change my own way of thinking. I wish I could go to my Mammy, hold her close and thank her for pouring life into me. She is 102, miles and miles away from me, and wouldn't know me now if I saw her.

But God ...

God can transcend time and miles, I think I will go ask Him to hold her close and whisper a loving "thank you" in her ear for me.