In the winter of 2022 I was once again in Oolitic, feeling the gravitational tug of family history, wanting to put my feet in the same places that my grandparents and parents had once put their feet.
Along Old Highway 37, a historic stonecutters highway, I discovered Wicked Ways Customs, a custom car shop, set up in an old gasoline station. I knew full well my Papaw Hanners had likely gassed up here many times, and that there was a good chance my mother had been with him while he was here.
It was at this place that I found several old Buicks, just like the Buicks that my Papaw Hanners drove. My heart literally fluttered, as I wandered, could one of these old Buicks have been one that I rode in with my Papaw when I was a child? It was possible.
After I made this photograph, I spent some time chatting with the owners of Wicked Ways Customs, and they were warm and kind people, allowing this stranger with his camera to roam all over their shop and property, as if I was a long lost friend. Their kindness made me stop and think -- perhaps my Papaw Hanners spent time smiling, talking, and being with the owners of this old gas station on this very spot. And now, a half century later, here I am, smiling, talking, and being with the owners of Wicked Ways Customs, on the very same spot. And maybe this old Buick, maybe the seats inside this snow-covered old gem, sitting quietly in front of me, still bore the DNA of my Papaw & Mamaw Hanners, my mother, and even me.
Before I left, I leaned into the inside of this old Buick and whispered the word "Pokerpack". One of the favorite family stories of my childhood is that just as I was learning to talk, whenever I would get in my Papaw's Buick, I would always say "Pokerpack". No one knew what it meant. But I would always announce "Pokerpack" when I got into his Buick.
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