Love: Life Lessons from a Classic Car in Show

For almost 10 years my husband and I were privileged to own a 1933 Packard V12 Roadster. The feelings I expressed from the beginning are that we were caretakers for this work of art. 

The car, no we never named it, seemed to have a spirit of it's own.

It won Concours d'Elegance, one after another, bringing home for us 13 top in class or best in show awards. This French title of a car show is reserved for only the most prestigious of cars and is by invitation only. We got those from Amelia Island to Hilton Head to Rhode Island and more, and would bring home either a unique plaque, a crystal bowl or in one case, a Rolex.

During the last two years when we have the exhilarating success of winning best in show, the Packard let us know that she could teach us some lessons.

Out of the couple of hundred cars on exhibition in this one New Jersey show, we just felt we were going to win. Do you know that feeling? You just know?

This was a show where I was able to get further reacquainted with a high school friend of mine at the show and I was able to meet in person my then law of attraction coach.

The time you wait, the awards ceremony, came after a full 7 hours at the show.

All registrants were asked to wait until someone came over with the winning ribbons then to escort you and your car to the awards driving line. We watched car after car around us either be past by or take their place in line for the awards.

After about 30 minutes the awards committee moved to the other side of the field.

Unusual for this kind of show, there was no requirement to stay on the field until the show ended. As disheartened as we were, we decided to drive off, get her tucked away on the trailer and begin the long 10-hour drive home.

We were dejected, disheartened and talking about our disbelief of not winning. Even people who saw us driving off the field expressed their surprise saying things like; "Boy you got the short end today."

As we were commiserating our failure my cell phone buzzed that I missed a call. I listened to the voice mail.

"Pat, where did you go? The judges keep calling your name! Your car won best in show! Oh I hope you get up here for this," she exclaimed. It was my coach who I had met for a brief time at the show! She was trying to track me down."

My jaw dropped, as I put the call on speaker and my husband and I listened together to the replay as it left us elated and bewildered.

Indeed it was true – our car took the best in show.

It was a bit awkward in the days following because there was no precedent for winning best in show. We eventually received the prize at home about 3 weeks later. Now it rests with a photo of what got it to us, the elegant and lovely Packard.

Lessons learned:

-       Listen to your intuition. If you want your life to go smoother, don't ignore your gut feelings.

-       Stay the course. If you feel totally confident then there is likely good reason. Stay in the race until you know it's over.

-       Be patient. You may not get your prize on the first round, or even the second round but when you know you've done all you can, you are rewarded.

-       Admit you were wrong to make amends. My husband and I had to make amends with the judges because they were perplexed why we left before things were announced.

-       It's not over until it is over. Sometimes regardless of the obstacle we face, we give up too soon.  

Do you have any lessons from a hobby? Tell me what they are – the hobby and the lessons, I really like to learn.