Tale of Two Highlander Hybrids

You might think this story begins in Scotland where the term highlander is synonymous with an inhabitant of the Highlands of Scotland but no it began in Fukuoka, Japan. It is about a mid sized SUV that arrived in my life one day in early August 2008. Little did I know the tag line of Toyota makes things better was going to be the motto of my life! I have had this car for 12 years and well over 250,000 miles so we have some stories to tell... buckle up!

A few stats on the first Highland Hybrid. It is a 2008 7 passengers vehicle. It can go 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. It has an average mileage of 27 mpg. It has a 3.3 L DOHC V-6 engine. It is silver with 3 rows of seats and a cobra stick shifter. It has 433333 kms.

The second one is a 1973 model with 2 kids. She can run 42 km in 3h 40m. She is single at 5'4" 140 Lbs. She is Blonde with two arms and two legs and a pierced hood. She has 47 years in on planet earth.

It is hard to know where to start as I look at your few rust spots. I dab silver paint on them like I would put foundation over my own crows feet. When I took you to the east coast after a decade on the west coast they were astounded how well your body had aged. When they popped your hood and did their inspection they happily reported there was little rust on the undercarriage. You were passed after a few minor repairs. You silver beast!

I really had no idea when my ex husband was looking into buying a car what you were going to mean to me. I honestly didn't know why we were going to pay over $55,000 for an SUV! I thought it was excessive and more than we needed at the time. I believed he was just buying it to keep up with his sister as she raved about hers. I will have to give him credit for his research and time spent into the most reliable, trustworthy, comfortable and Eco friendly vehicle out there! You were very much a blessing! The car I mean!

I have outfitted you over the years to be my chariot of inspiration. There are thousands of car accidents daily over the planet but when I buckle up my seat belt I trust you to be my beloved stead. I know you have many safety features but just to be sure I have 7 angel pins over your driver's side window! It began with a gift from my daughter. Each holiday my kids buy an angel pin. I have inherited one from my grandma. I know even more now that the angels watch out for me as I navigate this crazy world.

There was one year in particular, 2010, that we bonded! It was a particular stressful and crazy year as I left my husband of 14 years. I had put a collection of stick on sayings on the inside of your windshield to remind me to stay positive. I read them everyday then one day I took you in to be detailed and a kind gentleman redecorated! He put one on your driver's side drop down mirror to remind me of my inner goddess. It remains there to this day.

To go along with your stickers I have a photo of my sisters, my grandmother and patch. I put up a few pub stickers, old poppies and my name on my starbucks order because finally it is spelled right after so many years of being called Larry!

From your rearview mirror, I hang my medicine pouch my daughter made in elementary school as well as many air fresheners to attempt to hide the smell of dog!

Although, the dog has left this world he left his fragrant smell behind. It reminds me of so many memories we made together! The snake shifter with the LED eyes are courtesy of his puppies days. The zebra stripped chair covers came from a revival moment to add some interest to your gray/brown interior. Then it provided a better backdrop for my selfie booth. You carry my tiaras which are just an everyday accessory in the life of a single mother to remind her of her awesomeness!

My father's side of the family can be traced back to the Gordon clan, whom lived in the Scottish highlands so maybe that is why I relate so deeply to you. You embody the spirit of my ancestors driving me in my modern day version of the steed fast horse. I feel fast and empowered with your strength. It is more than your name as you might have guessed as it is about my journey over the last decade and change. When so much of your life changes you don't expect a car to be the most reliable, trustworthy and consistent thing in your life. Well I am here to tell you it has! You have become my sanctuary, my chariot, my priest, and my source of income!

I mentioned I was Scottish but what about the hybrid? Well my mother's family isn't so easy to trace as the eight generations of Gordon's. It all gets muddy when my matriarchal grandparents were first cousins. As the story goes or so I could piece together they were shipped off to Boston to be married and came back a year later with a new son, my grandfather. Although, it was common practice to shame unwed mothers my great grandparents decided marriage to a cousin was okay. I discovered this when I was in grade 12 at a family reunion when several branches of my family tree crossed. In hindsight, there was no resemblance to my grandfather and his father who had a very distinctive facial structure seen in their following three children. The heritage of my grandfather is not known but maybe one day I will look to ancestry.com for further help but safe to say I am some type of Scottish hybrid. I can feel it in my bones. The electric model merged with gas engine has shown much hybrid vigor in its biologic definition. It is reliable with its hybrid battery for the lifetime of the car. Recent study showed almost 5%of them are in operation over 250,000 miles and some have reached 1,000,000 miles! My own grandmother lived to be 101! I am looking forward to that party!

I started off the first few miles with you as an optimistic woman with a young family and an ambition to save the planet by rescuing every puppy and kitten I could find. A divorce and a decade later I am teetering on being a bitter lonely woman with little energy for the world. I am still the mother of two children but now no dog and no cats! Covid was hard for my pets. Not the actual virus but the time period involved. But everyday is a new day and just sitting with you gives me some refuge from the chaos of the world. Although, I spend countless hours in traffic, Google tells me about 60 hours a month, I do have the pleasure of controlling the six cds in your stereo deck. I can sink into an audio book on Christianity, the Secret or mediate to Bon Iver. I can drive to the beach or eight miles up the forest service road where there is no cell service to see a crystal clear lake with snow capped mountains. I can as much drive you to Walmart as well as the Callaghan Provincial Park. I can get their safely with my dog and my paddle board. I can pack two kids, two pets and 3 days worth of camping gear, food, booze, wood and then carry two bikes to our next adventure. You have never let me down in 12 years. I am so thankful you came into my life! Please don't leave me!!