It couldn’t have been a better day to get the car washed. Eighty degrees outside, sunny, and some time on my hands while the Mrs. tended to the antique store downtown. If there’s one thing that drives me nuts, it’s the dust and pollen that covers our cars so quickly here in Texas.
While driving through the new carwash in town, I couldn’t help but think back to that old song by Rose Royce, ‘Carwash,’ and remember some good times. That song was such a big hit they made a movie out of it with Richard Pryor. Of course, I’m dating myself now with that memory.
It didn’t matter who you were, famous or just the guy down the street, everyone went to the car wash. It was better than digging a ditch and it was work. Today, everything’s automated and all they do is point you toward the conveyer belt and tell you to put it in neutral.
Growing up in a small town in Michigan, we had one car wash for a long time. It was where I would take the old mustang to get cleaned up and pretty. The owner was a huge supporter of our marching bands and used the car wash money to pay for a lot of things we needed.
As a Youth Pastor, one of the ways we paid for our trips was to have a car wash. The youth loved it and all the parents came out to have the kids wash their cars. It was a blast (even if they enjoyed soaking me with soap and spraying me with the water hose…).
I found the below video of the group performing the song on Soul Train, or as the announcer for the show would say, Sooooouuul Train… We used to watch Soul Train and American Band Stand every Saturday, and, believe me, I didn’t have those kinds of moves!
Keeping that car clean is important because, for me, it’s all about taking care of something that’s such a huge investment and important part of how we get through life. I’m not a clean freak, but when I get in someone’s car and see food wrappers, dirty cups, clothes, junk food, dirt, and who knows what else spread all over the interior, I have a melt-down inside. Maybe it’s just me, but that’s just not something I could live with.
So, this week-end, here’s to those old car washes and great memories of when we used them to keep that special car, maybe even our first car, looking nice.
