Dearly beloved, we are gathered together to remember a unique family member here, the bus.
The bus is no more. We drove it last Sunday home from the park. And it has sat here in the driveway minding it's own business since. We have been plauged with rain, and canceled soccer practices, and games, and over all, not real fitting for going out really.
Tonight, I was helping out with bed time routine, and the neighbor came over to bang on the door, to which my son yelled, "it's the neighbor, the bus is in flames." Quickly I moved my service truck, and our camry, and proceeded to do the best with controlling the fire with a garden hose. The fire was localized under the hood, and worked it's way up the dashboard. The neighbor tried fire extingushers before becoming overcome with smoke. The fire department showed up in short order, but it is a total loss.
No idea.... everything working fine, no problems, no electrical issues, but the fire began in the passenger front section, where the a/c relay center was with the main power junction. That was the best the fire marshall could offer, and said that he didn't see anything malicous.
Many folks may be upset at a situation like this. I can't say that I am not upset, but I can say, I'm very thankful... here's why:
1. The neighbor was going to watch a movie. He changed his mind and decided to go out. That's when he saw the flames and ran over to our house. Thank you Lord.
2. I was the last to drive the bus, I back it in. Dear wife does not. That would mean we could have lost the house too. Thank you Lord.
3. It was at home in the driveway, not with just the wife and kids only and catch on fire on the roadway. Thank you Lord.
4. Quick response of the fire department. Thank you Lord.
There are so many other things to be thankful for, but over all: Thank you Lord. It's times like these we need to change our reactions from "why me" to gratitude of what could have really happened here.
So, here's the final chapter. She's done. She will be going. She will be missed. Thank you all for your support and making her all that she was. She was slated for some improvements, but as you can see, that will never happen now.
One last thankful... they doubled our registration fees here. I just took it through inspection, but was putting off re-registering until the tags were due. That would have been another $150 out the window for 8000 lbs.
The bus is no more. We drove it last Sunday home from the park. And it has sat here in the driveway minding it's own business since. We have been plauged with rain, and canceled soccer practices, and games, and over all, not real fitting for going out really.
Tonight, I was helping out with bed time routine, and the neighbor came over to bang on the door, to which my son yelled, "it's the neighbor, the bus is in flames." Quickly I moved my service truck, and our camry, and proceeded to do the best with controlling the fire with a garden hose. The fire was localized under the hood, and worked it's way up the dashboard. The neighbor tried fire extingushers before becoming overcome with smoke. The fire department showed up in short order, but it is a total loss.
No idea.... everything working fine, no problems, no electrical issues, but the fire began in the passenger front section, where the a/c relay center was with the main power junction. That was the best the fire marshall could offer, and said that he didn't see anything malicous.
Many folks may be upset at a situation like this. I can't say that I am not upset, but I can say, I'm very thankful... here's why:
1. The neighbor was going to watch a movie. He changed his mind and decided to go out. That's when he saw the flames and ran over to our house. Thank you Lord.
2. I was the last to drive the bus, I back it in. Dear wife does not. That would mean we could have lost the house too. Thank you Lord.
3. It was at home in the driveway, not with just the wife and kids only and catch on fire on the roadway. Thank you Lord.
4. Quick response of the fire department. Thank you Lord.
There are so many other things to be thankful for, but over all: Thank you Lord. It's times like these we need to change our reactions from "why me" to gratitude of what could have really happened here.
So, here's the final chapter. She's done. She will be going. She will be missed. Thank you all for your support and making her all that she was. She was slated for some improvements, but as you can see, that will never happen now.
One last thankful... they doubled our registration fees here. I just took it through inspection, but was putting off re-registering until the tags were due. That would have been another $150 out the window for 8000 lbs.