Posted on 11/09/2013 9:03:10 AM PST by Gamecock
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Ever since 81-year-old Mae Hodges bought a used Volvo, “strange-looking people” have been approaching her around town to pay compliments.
“They tell me, ‘Thank you for being a pioneer in our movement,’” Hodges says. “I have no idea what they mean.”
The flow of appreciation began after she started driving the nondescript Volvo wagon, which bears several bumper stickers. One sticker shows a multi-colored flag, another a pink equal sign, both of which Hodges found “very cheery.”
“I left them on the car because the bright colors remind me of my flower garden,” she says. “Bill used to love flowers.”
Hodges now receives a hero’s welcome from complete strangers, but does not know why. One man recently hugged her in the parking lot and said that if a woman her age was willing to stand up for equality then he was going to tell all his colleagues and friends the truth about himself.
“I just wished him well and off he went,” Hodges says, shaking her head.
Many who congratulate her have an “unusual appearance,” she says.
“It’s the oddest thing — I can’t tell if they are men or women,” Hodges says. “Maybe I’m losing my sight. Some look like women with men’s haircuts, and some look like boys trying to be girls.”
Occasionally, a well-wisher asks Hodges to give regards to her partner. Hodges expresses surprise that people would guess that she still plays bridge.
“They’re so sweet about it,” she says. “I tell them I certainly will wish Betty well, and that we’ve been at it for twenty years through ups and downs. The biggest part is staying committed.”
Hodges figures well-wishers are drawn to her choice of a Volvo wagon and think she is promoting a better environment or automobile safety.
“They always thank me for promoting equality,” she says. “Maybe there’s a resurgence of patriotism these days. That’s very encouraging.”
Back in the day this would end your career in the US Marines.
Lark!
Parody!
now the ones in the rear are out front
Where is her Co-exist bumper sticker??? You’ve got to have the complete package, right??
Funny parody.
My daughter drives an older Volvo. She’s pretty conservative but I keep meaning to put an NRA sticker on it just to confuse people.
L O L !
BTW, I hope you continue to post LARK News articles for a long time. They have some “roots” in the LCMS so, it is always fun to read their stuff.
Dear Gladys,
As I was browsing through a local Christian bookstore, I spotted a "Honk if you love Jesus" bumper sticker. I was feeling particularly sassy that day since I had just come from a thrilling choir performance, followed by a thunderous prayer meeting, so I purchased the sticker and put it on my bumper. Boy, am I glad I did! What an uplifting experience followed!
I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, lost in thought about the Lord and how good He is ... and I failed to notice that the light had changed. It's a good thing that someone else loves Jesus because if he hadn't honked, I never would have noticed. I found that there are a LOT of people who love Jesus.
While I was sitting there, the guy behind me started honking like crazy, and then he leaned out of his window and screamed, "For the love of GOD! GO! GO! Jesus Christ, GO!"
What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus! Suddenly, everyone started honking! I just leaned out of my window and started waving and smiling at all these loving people. I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love!
There must have been a man from Florida back there because I could hear him yelling something about a "sunny beach" ... I saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air. I asked my teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant and he said that it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something. Well, I've never met anyone from Hawaii, so I leaned out the window and gave him the good luck sign back. My grandson burst out laughing. He was really enjoying this religious experience, too.
A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards me. I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had changed. So, I waved to all my brothers and sisters grinning, and drove on through the intersection. I noticed I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed again and I felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared, so I slowed the car down, leaned out of the window and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away.
Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks!
Hope to hear from you soon.
Your friend,
Martha
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In the General/Chat forum, on a thread titled Woman’s car invites confusing compliments , ConorMacNessa wrote:
My “Co-exist” bumper sticker:
Your bumper sticker can be printed up with most printers using adheasive backed paper. But the problem is the ink will quickly wash away in the rain. There are sizing and spray coatings that one can get at an art supply store that will prevent that from happening. Or one can get clinging stock for printers available at most Staples and stick it in the inside back window.
Yes the Co-Exist sticker.
Identify your vehicle as a soft target for carjackers...
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Likewise I knew someone who liked hanging a rainbow flag in her window.
Until I explained what it meant.
The miserable self-involved bastard doesn’t realize most of those people won’t care.
By all means, do it. A buddy of mine inherited a 240 series wagon and put window gun racks (usually seen on pickup truck rear windows) on one of the rear side windows. Great for carrying your golf umbrella - and getting confused frowns from other Volvo drivers.
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