I drive a 2003 Honda Accord with 100,000+ miles on it, the outside has cat prints from 5 farm cats looking for a warm place to sleep, a few dings from parking in the high school parking lot, and the inside is strewn with wrappers, crumbs, toys, sports gear, and the occasional article of clothing from 2 very active young boys. Its a far cry from the Mercedes, Lexus', BMW, and other high end cars I notice as I drive into the tunnel.
And yet, here I am, pulling in behind a Lexus SUV, waiting my turn to valet my car. I feel a little insecure as I sit here, comparing my dull, dented, dirt covered car to the sleek and shiny vehicle ahead of me. Did they just come up the rainy, wet canyon road that I did? Surely their car has been air-lifted in to avoid the muddy run off in the roads.
I love my car, it gives me great satisfaction that I can stretch a tank of gas for 2+ weeks. I love the color; green is my favorite. I like knowing that when I wash it, it still shines and those small dents and dings are harder to spot. I love the confidence in the performance of my car; I know that the motor is solid and will probably go another 100,000 miles if I take care of it. The sound system is good, considering it is the stock mode, and the heater still works amazingly well during the frigid Utah winter months. Occasionally, my sons' friends will jump in the car and exclaim how nice it is; funny that they consider my car "nice", when it is older than they are!
So here I sit, waiting to valet my car, a little out of my element, but excited that I am doing it. I'm treating myself; I'm treating my car. I'm telling my car that its just as good as that Lexus SUV in front of us. No, I mean, I'm really talking to my car, out loud, giving it positive affirmations of what a great car it is. No one needs to tell me I'm a little crazy, I already know! The valet guy comes up to my window and politely asks me for the key and how long I'll be staying. "Just one night", I say and he says he'll take it from here. Another man has already retrieved my suitcase from the back seat and escorts me to the door with it. I am a little surprised at how well I am treated, in spite of the fact that they just drove off in my 12 year old car, with a lego truck hanging by its tow rope from the clothes hook in the back seat for all to see.
I make it up to my hotel room and decide to start with a luxury that only happens once a year.....a hot bubble bath. As I undress, I realize I am comparing myself to my car. I'm no spring chicken anymore, but I still have a lot of miles left in me, I hope! I notice that I have a few "dents and dings" on my body from life's experiences; 2 c-section babies, a recent surgery to remove a tumor(benign, thankfully), and, like the car, a spare tire that i really wish I wasn't carrying around! I realize that those imperfections are evidence of things I love, my children, my health, even my weaknesses, which make me work harder and give me a reason to learn, grow, and appreciate the world around me. My brain is my engine that keeps things going, my faith is my fuel to roll along the bumpy roads and trudge through the storms that come along. I recognize the need to rest, relax, and get a tune up now and then by laughing, dancing, and experiencing things that technology can not replace. Those are the things that produce true joy. I acknowledge the need to enjoy life's indulgences, not because I've got money to waste or it is expected of a certain economic class, but rather because I deserve it because I am a valued "vehicle", one that helps my family, my friends, my students, and more. I work hard, sometimes I show up with mud on my tires after a long day, but I've done what's been asked of me and confirmed to myself my life of purpose. So today, I valeted my car! I pray that those reading this will take time to "valet your car", you deserve it! Happy Mother's Day!
