Route 66-based story
written by OC,SH’s founder, inspired by his September 2009 Route 66 road trip

CHAPTER 5: THE LETTER

The service for their Mom was well-attended, as expected. The state museum’s auditorium served as the backdrop, & people agreed it worked well & was appropriate for the life being celebrated. After the service was done, people lingered for a few hours … conversing & reminiscing.

A few days after the service, the oldest son decided to keep the business … for now. He took it off the market & told the state Route 66 association he’d accept their assistance in running the business for a while. His sister adjusted her schedule to help out 3 days per week, more than her older brother thought she would. The youngest sibling, however, returned to Nashville & his job at WSM. He still wasn’t convinced keeping the business was in the best interest of the family, but he supported his older siblings.

A couple weeks after the service, the oldest sibling started the long process of sorting through his Mom’s things in the house. One day, he grabbed a box, placed it in the Caprice & drove to the business. He knew volunteers from the state Route 66 association would be there, so he figured he’d have some time to go through the box’s contents. When he arrived at the business, the volunteers were there … already greeting visitors.

He left the box in the Caprice & went to chat with the visitors. After they left, he retrieved the box from the Caprice, went into his office & closed the door. As he started pulling things from the box, he came across an envelope. Curious, he turned the envelope over & found the words “PLEASE READ” written in his Mom’s hand writing. He opened the envelope, pulled out a letter & started reading.

“To my oldest son,” the letter began. “If you’re reading this, I’m guessing I’m dead, though if I am, I don’t know how long I’ve been gone. Maybe a few days, maybe a few weeks, months or even years. But, somehow, I don’t think too much time has transpired because I know you’ll want to start going through all the stuff I’ve saved over the years, including this box. Which, of course, is why I’ve addressed this letter to you.”

He paused, looked up from the letter & glanced around his office … the very one his father had occupied for so many years. The very office where so many decisions were made. The very office where so many Route 66 travelers & enthusiasts had stopped in for a “quick” chat. He returned to the letter.

“I know that my death will force you to decide whether or not to keep the business. I think you already know my feelings on this, but I wanted to let you know that whatever you decide will be OK. Perhaps you’ve already sold it, but if you haven’t, I do hope you will keep it. Yes, the business was your father’s dream, & yes, I wasn’t too thrilled about it. But, I knew it was a love of his … & I wanted him to be happy. Turns out, though, it was my dream, too. I have a hunch that it is your dream, too, whether or not you admit it, much like myself.”

He chuckled. He knew his Mom was correct. He continued reading:

“Do you remember when they poured the concrete & we brought you with us? You kept wanting to touch that concrete. But, while I secretly wanted you to put your mark in it, I knew your father wanted the sidewalk to be pristine to welcome people. So, I kept telling you to keep away from it.”

Ah, yes, how well he remembered that…. The letter continued:

“Route 66 is not about the places or things alongside its pavement. The people make Route 66 what it is. Remember that, & the loss of landmarks along Route 66 will not be as painful as you might think.”

His mother had written more, but he couldn’t read more right now. He re-folded the letter, placed it in the envelope & placed the envelope on the desk. He glanced around the office again & picked up the phone. ‘A couple of quick calls,’ he thought, ‘& I’ll be able to do it.’