Our headlights are a little bit dimmer . . . I recently learned of the passing of Tom Magliozzi, one of the brothers on the NPR show Car Talk. My deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones. I never had the opportunity to meet him but his voice, as one half of Click and Clack is one of the most resonant ones for me. They taught me so much. Many dont know (and why would they) that my first word was Car and since very young I have been extremely interested in all of the different cars that populated the roads and magazines. If nothing else, a show about car problems would obviously and intrinsically be relevant to me. But the best part about Car Talk, and what Tom and Ray taught me, had nothing to do about cars. I have fond memories of driving around in the mornings with my dad and listening to the broadcast. My dad didnt smile at all that much but there were guffaws from him. It was amazing. I was young so he had to explain a lot of the questions (and the wit of their answers) to me. If they never did anything else in their lives, I would forever be indebted to Tom and Ray because they made my father laugh. But they did so much more. As I grew up, I realized that Car Talk was about cars in much the same way that M.A.S.H. was about doctors in Korea. That is, there was a loose framework wherein the problems were encouched but the interactions and conundrums being solved were really about relationships. Its all about relationships. Tom and Ray taught me that. They taught me about humanism. They taught me to laugh in the face of problems. They taught me of the importance of creative thinking in order to solve these problems. And these are all useful and resonant life lessons. Soon I was older. I had my own car. I had a job. I even started writing funny stuff because I wanted to be as funny as the guys on the radio. I listened to Car Talk. They now just werent entertainment. They were a fountain of information. They taught me diagnostic things to think about when my car was acting up. And their timing and wit was so razor sharp and quick that they were beacons of inspiration when I was stuck on writing dialogue. And just when I thought it wasnt possible for Tom and Ray to influence and shape my life more deeply, they did. About five years ago, I met a lovely woman, who was later to become my wife. And as our relationship grew and deepened, another layer of their show disclosed itself. You can be right or you can be happy. Tom and Ray taught me the central mantra to a relationship. They taught me that on certain disagreements, you can stand your ground. But on others, - most of them really - the little foibles of life, are insignificant compared to the love you feel for another. Its in the best interest of your relationship to practice care and understanding and ultimately empathy is your friend. Tom and Ray Magliozzi have been with me every step of the way. I am deeply saddened by Toms passing today. I cannot begin to thank you both for the mechanical wisdom you have imparted and the laughs you have shared with me. I really owe a great deal to you.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 22:52:01 +0000
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