Ompaloompas

My late husband was a very practical man.  His neatness and preoccupation with maintaining equipment of any kind would drive me nuts.  Top of the list on the category of "equipment" would be his car.  I say "his" rather than "our" cars because after about the 10th year of marriage Felix bowed to Oscar and carried on to preserve his sanity.

Johnny taught me a great deal that I otherwise would have never been inclined to know, understand, or care about.  Everything had its place and there should be a place for everything.  Above all was his appreciation of the tangible rewards garnered due to hard work and diligence.  He understood that because "things" were not given freely, the hard work involved demanded that respect and responsibility be attached to the tangibles purchased, meaning their maintenance and upkeep. Respecting our property was equally as important as respecting the property of others'.  The last car he bought me was a PT Cruiser or as he liked to call it, my 20K garbage can! Poor guy.  He ordered that car for me before PT's were even in the showrooms. He took great pains in making sure I drove a nice vehicle, always keeping it clean.  It wasn't that I did not respect things or avoided the responsibility I just knew that he was always there to do it...the princess syndrome on a woman with feminist leanings was/is not attractive at all.  I blame that part of my nature on being a Pisces:-)

So what did I learn from Johnny as he modeled respect, responsibility, and neatness daily?  First and foremost, and the theme for this blog, is never ever park your car in a manner that may cause who ever parks next to it to hit and scratch the door.  Park a little crooked and far enough away that hopefully no one will park beside you.  His cars were immaculate, nary a scratch and when one was found it quickly disappeared.  I never knew what detailing a car was until he died and saw that people paid over $100 for doing what Johnny did weekly.  Huh, imagine that.  I really am diligent about not parking too close to anyone so that they can get out comfortably and possibly not hit my car door.  Having bought my current car myself I realize the effort it takes to make that monthly payment, replace tires, change the oil every 3000 miles, keeping it clean inside, and yes, pay to have it washed.  I am alone in taking care of my car's maintenance.  I am grateful to have witnessed the many rewards from taking care of what we work so hard to acquire.

So where does the Ompaloompa come in?  Saturday, I was browsing in Pier One, when the sales girl taps me on the shoulder and says, "Ma'am are you driving that black charger out front." I said yes and then asked if there was a problem.  I held my breath thinking; oh, my goodness, someone has hit my car.  But no,  she informs me that there is a woman in the store who needs to leave and does not want to pull out of her parking spot with my car beside hers."  I looked at her and asked if the car in question was a Humvee and she replied, "Yes."

"You have got to be kidding", I said to the store clerk.   "I purposely pulled in right smack dab on the curb (on the passenger side) so that the person driving the Humvee would have plenty of room to get in and not hit my door when opening their door if she had a passenger.  I go to the front of the store and see the owner of the Humvee.  She was an Ompaloompa.  Only with gold chains and a handbag bag as tall as she was.  She gave me such a scathing look of contempt that I had to bite my tongue for fear I'd be arrested.  As I walked out the door I looked at her and quietly said, "You know I need you to know that I thought about you when I parked here. I thought about your comfort as well as protecting my car and yours from any dings. You ma'am are an ungrateful and irresponsible showboat."  And then I held out my arms so she could see that there were two arm lengths between her car and mine.  "You have chosen to make no effort to provide me the same courtesy so yes, I will move my car as I do not want you imposed upon in any way and I certainly want my car in one piece."  She huffed and puffed through my monologue and stated she had an appointment and did not have time to get this, "be super careful" when she pulls out.  Wonder how many cars she has dinged otherwise with her lead-sled?  I pull my car back, yes tires screeched a little, and she opens her door as wide as possible, pulls out a step stool, and hoist her 5x5 body into her shiny new Humvee. Sits for a few seconds adjusting herself, combs her hair, puts on lipstick, and adjust her radio.  No concerns and no worries about her selfishness or my time.  

Johnny, God love ya, I have tried to keep these traits alive (caring for my car and others') but it's times like this when I want to be Messala and drive a car (chariot) with wheels where blades come out and well, you know the story of Judah Ben-Hur, throw caution to wind, and say to the person parked next to me, who doesn't give a rip about their parking space neighbor,  "Oops, here's my insurance information.  Sorry."