Faded Jeans Living

Patina (/pəˈtiːnə/ or /ˈpætɪnə/) is a thin layer that variously forms on the surface of copper, brass, bronze and similar metals and metal alloys (tarnish produced by oxidation or other chemical processes) or certain stones^[1]and wooden furniture (sheen produced by age, wear, and polishing), or any similar acquired change of a surface through age and exposure.

The word patina comes from the Italian patina (shallow layer of deposit on a surface), derived from the Latin patĭna (pan, shallow dish). Figuratively, patina can refer to any fading, darkening, or other signs of age, which are felt to be natural or unavoidable (or both).

– Wikipedia

Twice a year I have a therapy session with my 1992 Jeep Cherokee. Once in the fall and once in the spring. I wash and wax the car and do a full detail trying to maintain it for many years to come. I call it therapy, because afterwards we’ve worked out all of our shit that’s piled up and our refreshed and ready to roll down the road some more.

Patina seemed like the best way to describe the natural part of getting older and wiser for me. Instead of trying to cover it up, hide it, or running away from it many us of actually can look at it as a work of art. Inside and Out.

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but as I get older I appreciate old things. My dad was the same way. Something about not giving up on things and just disposing of them. There’s so much character and potential just waiting to be discovered again. This is my only vehicle besides the van I’m building out. I drive it daily and it sits out in the elements 24 x 7. I don’t treat it like a trophy, but I’m damn appreciative of all the joy it brings me. It’s been paid off for years and has treated me very well.

Often with patina, comes a bit of rust. It’s okay. It’s natural.

Each year new pings, scratches, pealing, and fading will appear. Each can teach you something new.

It’s not only the outside that ages …

Stains appear where never before. Some caused by other folks. Some caused by you. Each one a lesson or if nothing else a laugh.

Rips will appear where we we’ve jump in and out the most.

It doesn’t mean though we can’t maintain what we have. It just takes a bit of work. You might just have to get down in the dirt and start scrubbing.

Cracks can appear out of nowhere … just like that. Nothing you can do about it when it’s a daily driver. Sure you could replace them, but as you get older things no longer need to be perfect.

Stand back a bit and appreciate where you’re currently at. You can still shine and in my opinion that old sheen is priceless. No money can purchase this.

“Let us prepare our minds as if we’d come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing. Let us balance life’s books each day. The one who puts the finishing touches on their life each day is never short of time.”

Seneca

EMBRACE YOUR PATINA! IT’S YOUR LIFE’S GOLD.

Don’t worry I have plenty of fuel left in my tank,

Dwight