Full Circle

Funny how things in my life seem to come full circle.
My very first memory was when I was about 1 year old. My folks were moving from Louisiana to Washington state in an econoline cargo van. I still remember the two kitties, meowling in a cage.
I felt so sorry for them. They were so scared and confused. I wanted to tell them it would be OK, but I couldn't talk.

Although maybe they could Understand me better before I could 'talk'.

So my first conscious recollection of this life is in a Ford van, with 2 kitties, moving to Washington from Louisiana.
Now I am renovating a Ford Econoline Van that is nearly identical to the one in my memory, getting ready to move to Washington from Louisiana with two kitties.
Stuff like this makes think there may be something to "fate".

There is another repeating pattern here as well.

When I was leaving all I knew for the first time in my early 20's, I painted my car.

I had never done anything like that before. It was sort of my way of asserting my independance. I was leaving my marriage, and felt abandoned by my family because, except for my mom, they disagreed with my decision.

This led up to my move to Key West to live on a sailboat.

So I sold all my crap, packed the camping gear in my '82 Toyota Celica, and took off cross country. I had many memorable adventures;
The Black Plague campground in California, and getting sick afterward,
The guy at the free campsite by Lake Mead who was just looking for a license plate... "They say I poured gas on my girlfriend and burned her, but she was just drunk and fell in the campfire.."
Seeing missile tests over White Sands, New Mexico and watching people sled down the snowlike gypsum in shorts.

But I'm rambling now.

Once again, I find myself restoring a vehicle to make a break for freedom.
I know so much more than I did when I painted the Green Machine. Still, that paint job with spray can Rustoleum lasted 10 years. That car was my baby. She always got me where I was going, even if she had to limp in.

I feel like the van will be as loyal a steed as was my Celica.
I hope the Beast proves me right.

I feel like I am on the theshold of a truly grand adventure. When several cycles or themes of my life repeat all at once, I know I am in for some interesting times.