Ari's Go Cart

Bill has been spending some extra time with our seven-year-old grandson. Ari is a middle child, sandwiched between two sisters on each side, with a teenage brother, as well. Sometimes, he benefits from a little additional attention, as they all do.

It has become obvious that Ari shares some interests with Grandpa Bill. They both like to explore how things work, and they both enjoy designing, engineering, and constructing a variety of things. 

A couple of months ago, Bill was given the opportunity to purchase a used go cart. He didn't have to think too long before deciding to buy it as a project he and Ari could work on together. The go cart needed a new lawnmower motor, some re-upholstery, and a safety harness, among other things, so a couple of times a week, Bill would pick up Ari and the two would go to the shop to work on the go cart.

Since Ari has a seven-year-old's attention span, they only worked for an hour or so at a time, stretching the project over several weeks' time. But this week, the go cart was finally finished. Bill told me to meet him at Ari's house at 3:00 yesterday if I wanted to witness the go cart's inaugural run. Of course, I couldn't miss it!

Ari strapped on his new helmet in anticipation of driving the go cart.

All of the kids had tried on Ari's helmet, and were happy to find that it fit every one of them except Lucy, who will grow into it eventually.  They, too, were anticipating their turns driving the go cart, knowing that Ari would share, but they all referred to it as "Ari's go cart." 

Everyone gathered around to have a look.

Ari was strapped in and ready to go.

Grandpa Bill and Ari were both rightfully proud of their finished project.
Tobin was the eager photobomber. 

Ari watched intently as Grandpa Bill gave Tobin some instructions.

All of Ari's older siblings got to drive the go cart. Ari gave four-year-old Ruthie a ride, but little Lucy was content to sit in the seat this time.

Here, you can see Ari and his go cart, on the move beside the corn field.

It was a gorgeous fall day, perfect for driving a go cart up and down the lane.

Bill mentioned to me, just a few days ago, that he had a simple, non-motorized go cart when he was a child. (Someone had to push it to make it go.) He said he had talked to his dad about that shortly before his death, asking if he had ever considered getting him a motor-powered go cart of his own, like his neighbor had. His dad replied that he had actually bought him one, but he had to send it back because Bill's mom, who worked as a school nurse, did not consider it to be safe.

She would be pleased to see Ari's helmet, roll bar, and harness, all amenities that were not utilized with go carts in the 1960s. Maybe she would have allowed Bill to have his own go cart if such safety features had been available then. I guess we'll never know.

By the way, Bill had to try out this go cart for himself, even though it was a bit of a tight squeeze, just to make sure that everything worked the way it should before he let Ari drive it for the first time.

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. 

Deuteronomy 4:9 NLT