Hello All,


I been thinking about making a post for awhile and I have finally decided to do so.


My 1998 ford expedition has become affectionately known as "Bertha". up until a few weeks ago it was just a SUV that I was driving. I didn't really like it because I envisioned myself as someone who should be driving a truck not a soccer mom SUV. This all changed about 2 weeks ago when I decided to take my family on vacation. In the early hours of Thursday May 14, 2015 My wife, mother in law, father in law, daughter and one niece piled into my ford expedition and we embarked on our journey heading to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. During the trip, my wife and my father in law kept tag team on who would ride up front with me. we would have conversations and talk about the sights and the views. Gary kept complimenting how well the Expedition rode and how it done great on the way down to myrtle beach. Once we got to our hotel and clocked in we discovered much to our amazement we had came during bike week 2015. We were static to find bikes of every color and configuration. Gary(myfatherinlaw) and I was like two children in a candy shop looking at all the bikes. that night after I got some rest we went out looking around and loving it. Never would I imagine what the next day would bring. In the early morning hours on Friday Gary become very ill. He had fever and breathing difficulties but yet he refused to go to the hospital. All day on May 15 he stayed in the hotel room very ill and my mother in law stayed by his side. Finally after begging him he allowed my wife and I to drive him and my mother in law to a local hospital. So I helped him get loaded up into the expedition and my mother in law rode with him in the back. Immediately, after arriving at the hospital Gary, was admitted. Much to our horror we found out that Gary had a very dangerous case of pneumonia. Unfortunately, The ride I gave Gary to the hopsital was the last vehicle he would ride in. Gary passed away on May 20th 2015. I can't get the drive down to myrtle beach and my last trip with Gary to the hospital out of my mind. For that reason the expedition is a permanent fixture for us. We will not be getting rid of her under any circumstances.


Anyhow sorry for the book but I wanted to show all of you the sentimental attachment. I will be fixing the expedition and restoring her as a memorial for a man who was like a father.


I have enclosed some pictures of bertha. These were taken right after Gary died.

 

Im sorry for your loss...I cant think of a nicer tribute though

 

That is a tough tale, I'm sorry for the loss. But on the bright side, Gary had a wonderful last couple of days with his family close by. So many others should be so lucky!