A Vehicle To Change A Life
If you’ve known me at all in the last 16 years you know of my passion. I love Land Rovers. It’s a crazy love, and I’ve gotten into many verbal battles with Jeep lovers and conservationists. Don’t try it; you won’t be able to change my mind.
The funniest part of my love affair with Rovers is that I fell into them completely by accident. I was 21 and searching for a career. I answered a blind ad and interviewed with a staffing service not knowing the company for which I would be hired. Even after my initial meeting at the first Land Rover Centre in the country, I still was not aware of how much my life was going to change.
Then we had our “fuzzy wuzzy” training. We spent a week completely dedicated to learning about the history of Land Rover, getting to know our co-workers, and – most importantly – driving off road. We spent 9 hours a day for 5 days living and breathing Rovers. And my world was never the same.
I worked for Land Rover Centres in Georgia and Colorado for 7 years, and then left while pursuing other business interests. During my 9 year hiatus I continued to own 4 different Rovers. In 2009 I returned to the loving arms of my passion, joining the family of Land Rover Roaring Fork in Glenwood Springs.
My relationship with Rovers extends far beyond the love of the vehicle. So many people I have met along the way have touched my life and made a difference. Leisa gave me a chance and taught me so much. Uncle Bill and Fricker are still two of my closest friends. My son percolated inside me while I sat in a Land Rover office. My Georgia Land Rover friends helped me through one of the toughest times of my life. Marcy in Boulder saved my life. My husband Jon fell in love over a clevis in raging waters while rescuing a stranded Blazer. My new group of adventurer friends, SAS, has been an incredible family to be a part of. I can’t explain the joy and happiness these new friends have brought me, especially ‘Token’ and ‘Hubby B’. And of course Jen and Randy, who have been two of my close friends since I discovered Rovers, continued to be my friend even when I disappeared, and still love me almost as much as I love them.
Finding a passion changes your life. Maintaining that passion opens your life and heart to new friends, and now that I am facing a frightening journey ahead, I know that I can make it to the other side because of the friends standing behind me.
To all of my friends, I would be lost without each one of you.
Hi, I just want to encourage you. I am a 3 year survivor. Have been where you are now. Am in my final stages of reconstruction- i did not do mine at the time of my mastectomies.I did both chemo,radiation and continued to work as much as possible during treatment. I feel that that helped me keep positive. Plus gave me so much more support than just sitting at home. Family, friends and coworkers are such a blessing when they are needed.
You are a courageous person in starting this website. Good luck in all that it accomplishes. I have done the 3 day walk in 2008 and am planning on doing it again this september in Seattle again.
Hope your recovery is going well, which i am pretty positive that it is.
God Bless you.
Am a country girl at heart and home-the outdoors is where i go when i need to be re-energized.
February 4, 2010 at 9:44 pm