The Mini Cooper {a mini victory}

My Mom finally bought the new car that she has wanted since 2008: a Mini Cooper...silver....with black racing stripes.

Awesomesauce.

In my family, my dad was in charge of all things automobile.  He bought our cars, helped service our cars, fixed our cars, and sold our cars.  He was born a salesman, and he loved to wheel and deal.  But he was also a tinkerer, and loved to find new ways to fix anything that was broken.  I would not say he was a "car guy" per se, but he loved the negotiations and the search.

So, we all found it a bit strange that when my Mom started asking him to look for a Mini Cooper, he dragged his feet.  He searched a bit, and even went to the dealership a few times to start negotiating.  But when it some time to make a deal, he would always take my Mom and leave.
He did this for FOUR. YEARS.

By 2012, it was clear to all of us that my Dad was struggling with dementia (I wrote a post on this here), and was unable to make any decision of consequence - much less remember things.  And all of his actions towards the car, in retrospect, make sense - and were merely symptoms of his disease.  My Mom became his full time caretaker. So the Mini Cooper had to wait...

With my Dad's death in August, we have all struggled  - but we have worried most about my Mom.  Her daily life (and constant  care-taking of my Dad) has completely changed, and she is tasked with finding new routines - and sometimes returning to things that she could no longer do as my Dad's disease worsened.  She is living in a sort of limbo - and it is hard for her.  The last time she was making decisions like this, on her own...was in 1967.  You know...when Lyndon Johnson was the president.  It is a lot to figure out.  She needs a win; something to be excited about...

So, for my Mom to go into the Mini dealership (with my older brother) a few weeks ago, and just buy the car that she had been waiting for is a big deal.  And she is so excited about this car.  She loves driving it, and brought it up to our house on Halloween, and really wanted me to drive it.  But she also feels guilty about it, because this happened after Dad's death.  She doesn't want people to think that she is partying it up after her husband has passed away. (and I assure you that she is not :)   You get the idea...

So, I consider this a fairly large victory for her, and thus for all of us.   She has found a little bit of happiness.  Mostly though, I am just happy to see her excited...for anything - even if it is a car.  We will call it a Mini-victory  :)