Discovery

     I drive a 2004 Land Rover Discovery. I married it for it's looks you could say. It is rugged and lacks any luxury touches like satellite radio or a GPS device.  The radio volume has a mind of its own increasing or decreasing intermittently. Often I find the roof windows open a crack when I start the motor. The keys sometimes get stuck in the ignition and I have to restart to release them.

     It is named appropriately, Discovery, as in what new problem will I discover this week?  I could easily afford a newer, expensive car.  Robert thinks my car is stupid. He only drives Chevy Tahoes which he trades in every few years for the latest model. It's weird, I think I welcome the discomfort. Perhaps, it keeps my humility muscle exercised. When I have to struggle with the gas cap latch or use extra effort turning the tight steering wheel, I am reminded that life can be hard. hahahaha.

     Luckily I married a guy who works in the used auto parts industry. I have instant access to mechanic help at our shop, so I'm fairly complacent and sure that whatever my discovery Mark will get it fixed. Today it was a brake light, an inoperable back windshield wiper and a front wiper devoid of fluid that had me handing my keys to Mark this morning. He came back with a report that he'd filled the fluids and that I probably needed another wiper motor--again. There was practically no brake fluid, he said. I should keep an eye on that. Yes, because I can go spartan on many things, but brakes are not a luxury.

     In appreciation of Mark, at Christmas time, I gave him a gift certificate to a steak house.  He is a single father, a good father, who's main purpose in life is to provide a stable home for his two young children.  The mother is out of the picture--that's another story. Today he thanked me and told me his kids had been asking for a steak dinner for quite awhile, so my gift was perfect. He took them to dinner on the certificate (it only cost him another $6.00 extra. I was relived because I worried I didn't give enough)   He said he followed up dinner with night at a hotel where the played in a hot tub. The next day they went out to the country to ride the ATV he had recently painted pink for his daughter. The land was wet from rain and they had a big muddy mess of fun. He was so delighted to give his kids this Christmas treat of time together. My eyes started to water. The image of Scrooge and Bob Cratchet came to my mind.  My little gift was important piece of the larger one he gave his kids. I felt humbled and kind of sad all at once.

     That is why I drive an old Discovery.