My grandson Luke has been 'shadowing' at work this summer. As any grandparent would say, of course we are proud of his efforts and willingness to learn. From inventory to floor sweeping to taking some of the dust off the equipment on display to making hoses, he has worked enthusiastically. I took him on a sales call to inspect an old rotary cutter that the customer thought was a peach. Pap, he said, this thing is even in worse shape than stuff on YOUR farm. Hmmm … The truth hurts sometimes.

When we were walking back to the truck, Luke volunteered the fact he now had his 'learners permit' — he actually said license — and would give me a break and drive me back to the dealership. I didn't say a word, but opened the passenger door, picked up the hitch pins, water bottles and duct tape that rolled out, climbed in and fastened the seat belt. I saw a flash run around the rear and side of the truck and then a stoic looking, emotionless young man climb in the pilot's seat and buckle in. I could see the gears turning as the checklist of rear-view mirror adjustment, steering wheel adjustment, starting, looking both ways and then as in Driving Miss Daisy took me, backtracking, to whence we came. This old man turned his head and had a flashback of what seemed like last week as I had held him in a blanket wrap at the delivery room and listened to everyone yell at me to be careful.

How could this be the young man who was driving my truck, changing the radio from 50's music to something I could not understand the words to and motoring down the road? He even started singing the words which I still couldn't understand. I kept looking out the side window as he just wouldn't understand the tears flowing down the cheeks. Where had the 15 years gone? Where will he go from here?

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Told from the perspective of an in-the-trenches owner/operator — Tim Brannon of B&G Equipment, Paris, Tenn. — Equipment Dealer Tips, Tales & Takeaways shares knowledge, experiences and tips/lessons with fellow rural equipment dealerships throughout North America. Covering all aspects required of an equipment dealership general manager, Brannon will inform, entertain and provide a teachable moment for current — and future — leaders within equipment dealerships.

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