The TRUCK

When Tayzli passed away, AJ had a realllllly hard time going back to work. He had been struggling with some BIG things before the accident…so when everything happened…I was SUPER worried about him. We owned our own business at the time, so it made things a little trickier. He was our only full time employee! To keep himself busy at home, and a reason to get out of bed everyday, he started tearing apart a truck we had. He had been dreaming of rebuilding this truck from before we even met. Ole Blue as his family called it, was a truck his dad had purchased brand new back in 1985. They used that truck for hunting, back road driving and just about everything in between. AJ learned how to drive in that truck and it has always meant a lot to him. One year for Christmas his parents gave him an envelope. Inside was the title to Ole Blue. I don’t think AJ has ever received a gift that meant more to him.

AJ told me he was going to rebuild the truck in Tayzli’s honor. He needed to stay busy with his hands, and even though he isn’t super mechanically inclined, he never gave up! He tore that truck all the way down to the chassis. It took us, and MANY MANY others 3 years to finish this project. But oh boy. I think it exceeded all of our expectations. We had the transmission redone, the engine rebuilt, every single thing in that truck is brand new or restored. It was amazing to see it come back to life. We definitely had some hiccups along the way, worked with companies/people that we didn’t see eye to eye with, or didn’t have the same vision with…but that’s ok! We learned to appreciate every little detail even more. There are pink finishing touches throughout the truck, and we even had the engine painted pink. The heart of the truck, and pink for TayTay. We decided it will be a truck that mostly sits, and not an every day runner. We want to show it in truck shows, parades, and anywhere we can to help raise awareness for organ donation, our foundation, and just to remember little Tayzli. It honestly feels so weird to just have it done! Like a moment we have been looking forward to for so long.

I am so grateful this truck helped my husband heal, and now I hope somehow, someway it can continue to help others! There is hope in loss. And if we can get through something so horrible and tragic…so can you! Keep your chin up. Find something you are passionate about and get to work. Grief sucks!

XO

Whitney