By now, the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Katrina are old news. Unfortunately, for many, including me, that news will linger for years to come. The devastation has affected people in so many ways, and while I cannot even come close to understanding how it must feel to lose everything you've ever worked for, then on top of it have to fight for your life afterwards, I do know that it's made me sit back and reevaluate this world we live in from a whole new perspective. For me, the phrase "take for granted" is something I do not take lightly anymore, nor do I act as such toward anything anymore.
When the storm hit, I was on an airplane en route to Indiana. Normally, our flights hub through Dallas-Fort Worth, but because of last-minute booking, we were on another carrier that took us to our destination on a more northern course. While parts of the storm did make it to where we were near Indianapolis, it was nothing more than thunderstorms. The activities that followed on our trip kept us fairly preoccupied until returning a day later, which is when I really got to see the devastation of Katrina. The breaking of the levees and subsequent looting and lawlessness were almost impossible to take in without really feeling that a part of this country had been lost. However, it was the actions of the branches of government that followed-or lack thereof-that really opened my eyes.
No longer do I take anything for granted...not my personal safety at home; not my job security; not even the reliability of my dog waking me up in the middle of the night while chasing a skunk through the backyard. What it all boils down to is a huge loss of trust, sad as it may be; trust in practically everything. It even forced me to recall a conversation I had with my insurance agent when renewing the insurance on my home. While flooding is not something that really worries me in Southern California, the threat of earthquakes does. My agent said, "Don't bother with earthquake coverage...FEMA will take care of your dwelling costs in the event of a devastating earthquake." Will they? After their not-so-stellar reaction to the Gulf Coast disaster, I'm not so sure about that. And what happens if my house is not completely leveled from a quake? Those total losses will come before me. The folks who flipped the extra coin for the added coverage will get theirs, but I wouldn't be surprised to see myself looking somewhere else to live on my own. Same goes for the flooding victims-you know there'll be houses that can be rebuilt, even though most are destined for the dozer bucket. How are they going to get financial help?
Granted, this is a huge deal, but what does it have to do with classic trucks? Well, simple, and it all goes back to taking things for granted. While it is in no way a disaster in comparison to the hurricane, one of my trucks was recently broken into. It was in my driveway, which is actually behind my house off of an alley, while I was sound asleep and relying on a security light and my trusty skunk chaser to help deter thieves; no luck with those two. As I prepared to leave for work that next fateful morn, I realized the damage that had been done the night before and immediately called my "wonderful" insurance agent. In his usual chipper tone, he replied, "What do you want me to do about it?" My quick response was, "Get my stuff replaced, what else?" He went on to remind me how I decided it would be more cost-effective if I declined the comp coverage, saying my truck wasn't the type to get broken into, and that it was always parked in a "safe, secure place." Oh, yeah? Nice thinking there, Rob! Nothing against my agent, as he only did as he was told, but it made me wonder why I took my truck's security for granted. That won't happen anymore. And even though my attempts failed to acquaint myself with said thief the following night, as he left some wanted items behind (let's just say I got real cozy in a patio chair with some company), I know now that anything I drive worth any value deserves to have full coverage in today's world.
Same goes for all you readers. Why take anything for granted? Whether it's your home, your truck, or worse, a loved one, nothing sacred is worth risking. My family and my home are without question more important than my trucks, cars, or motorcycles, and I would do anything to ensure their security over the latter, first and foremost. However, I will no longer assume my trucks are secure, wherever they or I am at. From anti-theft deterrents to appropriate insurance coverage, whatever I can do to help ensure that I've covered my bee-hind as best as possible, I'll do it. I hope you all will do the same and take nothing for granted.