A dream

(Betty would love this road)

Three years ago, my faithful, beloved Volvo breathed her last breath.

I loved that car. She and my kids had adventured hard and she had the scratches, dog hair and odor to prove it. The odor unique to 3 teenagers, a lot of spilled coffee and time. Also, one time I spilled 1/2 a dish of pre-cooked potatoes gratin in between the seats: cream, garlic, nutmeg, asiago, you get the idea. (do not recommend)

If you ask my kids, they’ll tell you I’ve always wanted a Mini Cooper. They’re small, and adorable and fast. Tiny anything straight up delights me. But, if you’ve met my kids, they are not really the tiny, petite, fit in a Mini Cooper type.

So, I didn’t even think to look for one when it came time. But, by that time, and this may have happened to you, those same children suddenly had their own vehicles and their own lives and I actually didn’t need a mobile living room any longer.

My youngest, tired of hearing me complain about all of the boring but expensive replacement options, suggested I just buy a Mini already because, “you’ve like always wanted one.” Out of the mouths of babes.

So I did. And that wiggly unrealistic forever dream came true. Just like that. And, oh my holy, do I love her. Her name is Betty White for obvious reasons. RIP the real one. My Betty is a 6 speed manual, so spunky and so fast and really just adorable. She sparks joy.

My dad taught me to drive a stick. He and I both love finding a road we’ve never been on, a new on-ramp, a new alley.

I needed the reminder that those dreams we have tucked away, silly or not, are worth attending to, worth pursuing. A reminder that life shifts. It won’t always feel like this. Joy and wholeness awaits.

Maybe we all need that reminder, sometimes. Thanks, Betty.