Joe's Garage

The Art of Auto Repair

Artists have a vision. They see potential. They see possibility. They are able to dream and visualize an outcome. When I went to pick up my first vehicle, I rode with my dad, the artist, in a wrecker. We needed the wrecker because my “new” ride was still just a vision. A rusty old truck with no engine, sitting in a pile weeds. We were buying a dream, a project, and an adventure. Gerald “Joe” Miller, saw this truck and had a vision. He saw the potential. He saw the possibility. That day, he passed a glimpse of that vision to me. Artists have a vision. Artists create. Artists share.

The Craft of Auto Repair

Craftsmen have expertise. They have experience. They have wisdom. They are able to visualize the path to a desired outcome. They know how to make the vision happen. Years of practice and experience prepared my dad, the craftsman, to undertake this project with quiet confidence and absolute competence. Over the course of the next year, using parts from multiple trucks, the vision came to life. Slowly rebuilding. Slowly restoring. Slowly the vision began to take form as the truck transformed from an idea to a work of art. He had the experience. He had the wisdom. That year, he passed a glimpse of that expertise to me. Craftsmen have expertise. Craftsmen create. Craftsmen share.

Transforming a Truck and a Life

Change happened in Joe’s Garage. A truck was transformed. And a life was transformed. It’s easy to forget that meaningful change takes significant time. It takes significant effort. It takes significant persistence. It takes showing up and continuing to show up. Day after day. Transformation is subtle and often so slow we don’t even notice until we step back and take a look. Over that year, there were several times I stepped back to admire the work. When it was finally ready to roll down the road, we shared a great deal of satisfaction. The best part of this adventure was in the experience and the transformation. Every time I stepped into that truck was just icing on the cake.

Joe’s Garage

As I sit back now and reflect on that year, I can see how much my life was transformed along with that truck. Without saying it, my dad was laying a foundation that would last a lifetime. Joe’s Garage was a workshop where a truck was transformed and classroom where a life was transformed. I didn’t think about it at the time, but this artist saw the potential and possibility to make something special with this truck. This craftsman had the wisdom and experience to make it happen. And it’s humbling to think that this artist and craftsman was probably looking at me in the same way. There was potential and possibility to nurture something special in this young life. He certainly had the wisdom and experience to pass along the gift of dreaming and doing. Joe’s Garage was a special place. And Gerald “Joe” Miller is a special man. Let’s follow his lead. Be an artist and dream it. Be a craftsman and do it. Be a mentor and share it. Look for potential, find a path, and make a transformation.

Have an awesome day!