How Classic Cars Stirred Up Old Joys and Opened a New Mission
My son-in-love, Bob Sholtis, recently purchased a 1968 Mustang that needs a bit of love. I am so excited for him! For Bob, it’s a joyful project — and a nod to another car he once worked on in his younger years. (That’s him and his pride and joy in the photo — just had to share!)
For me, it became a trip down memory lane.
Back in my early 20s, I had the honor and pure joy of driving a 1965 2+2 Mustang — white with blue interior, Hurst shifter, and a Thrush muffler. It wasn’t mine, but I sure got to drive it! And then there was the 1968 Chevy Nova SS. Again, not mine… but I got to drive that one too. Thank you, David Bowles!
Those were the days — highways and backroads, gears shifting under my hand, wind blowing through my hair from rolled-down windows, and late-60s/early-70s rock ‘n’ roll blaring loud enough to feel it in your bones.
Then came the pièce de résistance!
Bob and Jo took me along with them to a Classic Car Show on the Island. Heaven! Rows of Chevys, Fords, VW vans, 1950s Bel Airs, even a few A-Model Fords. I hunted for cars from my birth year — 1954 — but the ones I found were all older or younger. Still, every one of them carried a story.
But in the middle of all that fun, God had another story to write.
We headed into the Veterans Administration building for coffee. They were sponsoring the show. If you’ve been inside a VA lobby, you know the tables are filled with resources for healthcare, aging, and support services.
Spoiler Alert — God moment!
Jo and I met Savy Makalena and Lani Almanza, who work with an incredible Caregiver support organization called Gimme a Break. Bob could see we had made a connection, so he found a comfy sofa to wait for us to surface. While Bob rested, we talked… really talked. Gut-level conversations. About caregiving, burnout, hope, and how desperately Caregivers need support, sharing parts of our own stories.
Savy is the CEO who hosts a podcast, and she invited me to be a guest in their new season between February and March 2026. What an honor! And I volunteered to share their work on my blog and YouTube channel.
Don’t you just love it when God meets you in the most unexpected places?!?
I’m out there enjoying old cars, takin’ photos, filming videos, trying to find a 1954 model car — and then I walk in for a cup of coffee, and Bam! — A mission lands in my lap.
Many Caregivers have to quit their jobs to care for a spouse, parent, or child. Some are even fired because they can no longer work all the required hours, even remotely. That sudden loss of income is devastating. Savy is currently collaborating with other caregiving support groups in seven states in addition to her work here on Oahu to make caregiving life more tenable.
She has written a bill for the State Senate to make one simple, powerful change to the unemployment application here in Hawaii.
Right now, one question asks:
“Are you available to work?”
With only two options: yes or no.
The focus of her bill is to add a small explanation box next to “No.”
That’s it.
No additional funding needed.
Just a thoughtful place for caregivers to clarify why they aren’t available.
This small change could allow caregivers to qualify for temporary benefits long enough to stabilize their lives — get support, gather resources, and handle legal tasks — without losing everything overnight.
Capitol Hill is taking notice. Hawaii is already moving. And the ripple is growing.
If you want to learn more, please visit:
Caregiving is hard, holy work. If you know someone walking that road, please share this with them. Let’s be part of the change — one person at a time, holding hands to strengthen each other right from the ground level.
You could connect and get this started in your state if you feel the call, or share it with someone you know who would be interested.
Living in the Here and Now —
Karen “Gritty Granny” Dixon
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