Born to be Mild

Article and photo by D.J. Estopinal

Recently, our Pastor, Rev. Randall Graf, told me that he had purchased a brand-new motor bike. I was expecting a big Harley Davidson, Indian or Kawasaki motorcycle with a large engine! One of those motorcycles that has such a loud engine exhaust and no muffler that you can hear them coming from a half a mile away.

So, after church service on Sunday, September 9, I asked Reverend Graf to show me his new motorcycle. I could see how proud he was about his recent purchase.

The pastor grabbed his brand-new black safety helmet and we walked together to his assigned parking spot in front of the church. We stopped and the Rev stated, what do you think? I asked him, where was his motorcycle. He pointed to a small two wheeled motor scooter called a “Vespa”. “Vespas” are made in Italy. The “Vespa” almost came up to my knees. I had to exert a lot of self-control to stop from falling on the ground laughing. 

Padre put his helmet on, got on the motor scooter and started it up. Here I was expecting a loud Varoooom but instead I got a Winggggg Ding Ding. I was waiting for him to get off of his newly purchased motor scooter and wind up the rubber bands so the engine would keep running!

Now do not get me wrong. The motor scooter is a beautiful cherry, metal flake, red in color.

One thing I learned many years ago is NOT to make fun of a man and his motor vehicle. No matter what type it is! Especially if he is your pastor!

I bet our Padre gets some very interesting looks riding down the street in his black clergy attire, with his reversed white collar, wearing a large black safety helmet, riding his motor scooter. I bet the double take he gets from the Sheriff’s Deputies is priceless!