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Description
Within the stories of many cultures and religions, there are parables of persistence. Usually those stories involve asking for something that is right, good or just. The basic concept behind the stories, is that we should feel free to ask shamelessly over and over, when the object of our petition is justified, good or righteous. In these cultures and religions, this kind of petition is a positive value that is encouraged. The story of this truck, is like that.

A fellow by the name of Oliver called me and asked me to visit him. He had seen an article on my work and wanted to show me an old Diamond T truck. I visited him on May 18, 2010.

As Oliver tells the story, his grandson Matthew (20) came to him one day to ask about a truck. Oliver was working on a ladder and so when Matthew asked him if he had ever owned a Diamond T. he was too busy to discuss with his grandson, but he told Matthew that his great grandfather (Mike) had owned one. He then dismissed his grandson telling him that the truck was long gone and he should just forget about it.

A few days later Matthew returned. Again he approached his grandfather saying that he had found a Diamond T. He wanted to know if it was possible that it was originally owned by his great-grandfather, Mike. Once again Oliver was busy, and once again brushed him off by telling him that it was impossible to be the same one because it probably had been melted down for the metal and he should just forget about it.

Undeterred, Matthew approached his grandfather a third time. He wanted him to at least go and look at it. Once again Oliver made excuses, and told him that it was not possible. But this time, Matthew had had an impact on his grandfather and the thought of the Diamond T began to work on him. So he drove to where Matthew had told him truck was located, and sure enough, it was the same truck his father had owned. And, his fathers name was still on the side. In Oliver's words "the were these two lights on the fenders, and it was like they were talking to me." At that point Oliver decided to speak to the current owner to see if he could buy the truck. He now ones the very Diamond T that his father Mike bought in 1936 or 37.

In my mind this is a beautiful story of persistence that paid off. In addition to the posting of this truck in my main gallery, I have also posted two other pictures on my support gallery.

The first shows Oliver sitting on the side of the truck when he was perhaps 6 years old. [link]

The second, is Oliver now, sitting just as he did as a young boy. [link]

My thanks Oliver for calling me and introducing me to Matthew and his fathers truck. And a special thank you to Matthew for daring to be persistent, and for sending me the additional pictures to support this submission.

(Note, I will have to return later this summer to take some additional images because the lighting was not ideal for the placement of the truck. Thanks Oliver for giving permission for that additional foray).

Description
Within the stories of many cultures and religions, there are parables of persistence. Usually those stories involve asking for something that is right, good or just. The basic concept behind the stories, is that we should feel free to ask shamelessly over and over, when the object of our petition is justified, good or righteous. In these cultures and religions, this kind of petition is a positive value that is encouraged. The story of this truck, is like that.

A fellow by the name of Oliver called me and asked me to visit him. He had seen an article on my work and wanted to show me an old Diamond T truck. I visited him on May 18, 2010.

As Oliver tells the story, his grandson Matthew (20) came to him one day to ask about a truck. Oliver was working on a ladder and so when Matthew asked him if he had ever owned a Diamond T. he was too busy to discuss with his grandson, but he told Matthew that his great grandfather (Mike) had owned one. He then dismissed his grandson telling him that the truck was long gone and he should just forget about it.

A few days later Matthew returned. Again he approached his grandfather saying that he had found a Diamond T. He wanted to know if it was possible that it was originally owned by his great-grandfather, Mike. Once again Oliver was busy, and once again brushed him off by telling him that it was impossible to be the same one because it probably had been melted down for the metal and he should just forget about it.

Undeterred, Matthew approached his grandfather a third time. He wanted him to at least go and look at it. Once again Oliver made excuses, and told him that it was not possible. But this time, Matthew had had an impact on his grandfather and the thought of the Diamond T began to work on him. So he drove to where Matthew had told him truck was located, and sure enough, it was the same truck his father had owned. And, his fathers name was still on the side. In Oliver's words "the were these two lights on the fenders, and it was like they were talking to me." At that point Oliver decided to speak to the current owner to see if he could buy the truck. He now ones the very Diamond T that his father Mike bought in 1936 or 37.

In my mind this is a beautiful story of persistence that paid off. In addition to the posting of this truck in my main gallery, I have also posted two other pictures on my support gallery.

The first shows Oliver sitting on the side of the truck when he was perhaps 6 years old. [link]

The second, is Oliver now, sitting just as he did as a young boy. [link]

My thanks Oliver for calling me and introducing me to Matthew and his fathers truck. And a special thank you to Matthew for daring to be persistent, and for sending me the additional pictures to support this submission.

(Note, I will have to return later this summer to take some additional images because the lighting was not ideal for the placement of the truck. Thanks Oliver for giving permission for that additional foray).