[jrhaelig]

I know this isn't Facebook, and I know that the only one of you I ever met in person was subsequently kicked out of the club, but I do think of you as my international circle of friends.

We shore each other up through busted knuckles and busted studs, lost tools and lost combustion.

Occasionally, however, we shore each other up through lost loved ones, too. Now it's my turn.

My mom was in a coma following a stroke nearly 2 weeks ago. She finally surrendered this morning on my watch. She made it to 82, which is pretty darn good, through some of the most interesting times in world history.

Thanks to her being the daughter of her father, I received the hereditary interest in great cars that has led me here.

So - thanks, Mom. Godspeed.