Auto Trans Should it stay or should it Go

[splat55]

Hi 6894,
I'm just writing to add that I too lost my father, Dec.2001, and although it has been a while since he passed, it still seems just like yesterday. We didn't have the greatest relationship when I was younger, but in the last 20 years of his life, we patched things up quite a bit...and I really miss being able to talk to him. He wasn't into restoring/rebuilding automobiles as I have been for almost 35 years now(I'm 50 now), but during the later years of his life, when our familys would get together, I could see a sparkle in his eyes when he'd see a car or truck that I had pulled out of some field somewhere and he'd see the progress I was making on it.
2 years ago, my wife and I decided we wanted to adopt, and an 8 year old girl was placed in our home. A year later, she became our daughter legally and next month she will be 10. She has probably been the biggest inspiration in my getting our jeepster road worthy. She loves working on the jeepster with me, and nearly every weekend the two of us spend at least a few hours fixing or improving something on the jeepster and in the last year, together we have installed rear springs, a roll bar, new shocks, a GM alternator, pulled and replaced the timing cover, all hoses, and radiator and installed and HEI ignition system. Right now we have front and rear diffs sitting in the garage, ready for sandblasing and brake upgrades and hope to be SOA'ing those and installing them during the next few months along with a steering upgrade.
My point being, although this board and all the guys/girls on it have been an inspriation to continue on the jeepster upgrades, we can find inspiration in a lot of different ways...my daughter and the board here being all I need. And now that I think about it, although he is gone, my dad too is an inspiration....and I am sure he approves not only of the jeepster, but my new daughter working with me. Wish he had been alive to meet her. And thanks to you 6894, NudeJeep, and the others here that have mentioned their dad here.

[6894jeep]

Thanks for all the suggestions i am takeing all into considerstion. I would like to also add that the comments and the personal info that have been told to me help me alot with what i am faceing right now in my life. I have gone from the only son, to the only man in my family in just one day. I am thankful that you all understand, and can share your past with me. I would realy like to meet all of you one day and I will besure to up date the progress of my commando. And i am sure i will have many more questions for you guy's. Thank you so much for you knowledge and even more for the strength i need.

[zdpzimmer68]

Brian, I think its cool that you and your daughter have connected with the Jeepster, keep that going, sooner or later, she'll start to drift away, as she hangs more with friends and socializes with them. My daughter, now 18, used to love to go to the races with me, and help work on the Vette. Of course divorce didn't help any, but she started hanging with friends, and Dad wasn't so important any more. But thankfully she's coming around again more now. She needs the financial help, and moral support, and advice I think.
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warning.gif[/img] FOR EVERYONE: Try to imagine life without them, and it makes them seem all the more special. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/RockOn.gif[/img]

[splat55]

All good points Dave.....your right. And thanks.