What Jeeping Means to Us!

Jeeping, what it means,  To us, Jeeping  started as a simple way to entertain our daughter Annie.

  She loved taking a Jeep ride and we did everyday, discovering back roads and abandoned grown over old roads all around us. When whe passed away, we lost our Jeeping partner, but we kept that memory alive and thus her alive by creating our annual memorial Jeep Ride in her honor.  Jeeping and Jeepers have and will always be a very special part of our healing process and allows us the ability to help others like her who have that special heart and special need !  She is missed but Jeeping  keeps her with us !

Jeeping has so many meanings in the community. For some, it is having the capability to traverse almost any terrain. For others, it's the looks and admiration received while driving down the road.

For me, it is camaraderie. When I left the military, I felt alone. I had my wife and my children, but something was missing. The experiences shared with others in the military creates a bond like no other. People, more dependable than most family members. People who support you physically and emotionally in times of need. Not being in this environment left a huge void in my life. 

Whether by luck or divine intervention, a Jeep found it's way into my life.  The people I've met and the bonds that were  formed, are as close to the military as I have ever experienced. It helped me in my transition and is what Jeeping means to me.

Jeeping is a lifestyle. It's off roading, carshows and hangouts. It's meeting new friends and being a part of a huge family. We make memories that last a lifetime. Late night wrench parties and bolt checks before heading out on an adventure. Phone calls to make sure everyone is OK and made it home safe, trusting your trail guide to not trash you or your  jeep. I think it's everything rolled into one awesome vehicle and community.

Jeeping to me is a way to continue to give back. As a former fire / rescue member it still gives me the opportunity to help in bad weather, getting people to work, or doctor. And in good weather going to fund raisers for people in need. It’s just all about how lucky we are as a Jeep community to be able to help and the bonds we build in doing so.

Jeeping healed our hearts. My fiancé passed away when our daughter was 4. (Motorcycle accident) She didn’t talk she barely ate.  We both became withdrawn as well as my older children. 1 yr later I was diagnosed with an aggressive Cancer.  I almost lost my life.  Surgery/Cancer Treatments were to follow.  I week after my treat I stopped I went back to work before the Dr cleared me.  I couldn’t sit home anymore I had to go back to work.  I picked up 4 part time jobs and worked really hard. Got caught up on my bills and saved every penny I could.  I loved to ride motorcycles since that was how he passed I promised my kids I would not ride anymore.  I had a Jeep when I was younger.  Never was involved with the Jeep community.  I had 10,000 saved up for a Jeep.  I wanted a newer model.  With being a single mom, and unsure if I was going to get sick again. What if I had to be out of work for an extended period of time again.  If I couldn’t make my payment I’d lose my down payment and my Jeep. I decided to buy one out right. Months later I saw a awesome lookin Jeep at the gas station down the street from my house. I spoke to the man who owned it.  He mentioned I should attend his groups next ride.  I went on a local Jeep ride through the Mtns one cold November night.  My Jeep broke down and without missing a beat everyone got out and got my Jeep fixed so I could continue the ride.  I cried it was truly the first time I didn’t feel alone since he had passed.  I felt like someone had me.  I continued to go on rides, parades, fundraising events, Jeep shows.  Giving back and being involved as much as I could. There were times I only had enough money for gas.  That was ok just being around this group was all I needed.  I made friends who are now family.  People I never knew I needed.  Me and my 23yr old tj and my friends with their big fancy builds is definitely a sight when we are out . Fast forward a couple years later…..My daughter now talks to everyone. She has really come out of her she’ll bring around everyone. She’s finally eating normally.  She’s made relationships with people whom she loves with all of her heart.  She is the definition of Jeep Life.  This past GSMJI a little girl was struck by a Jeep in Tn.  She missed all of Jeep Invasion. She is currently in ICU I made a tik tok from the bring Chloe home event I saw come across my Fb feed.  Her family friend who made the Fb event asked me to be a host. How could I say no.  I can’t even begin to tell you the love and support and outpouring response my tik tok has gotten.   Being able to be a part of this is amazing.  Trying to bring Jeep invasion back to Tn for Chloe on the day she is discharged.  What I have learned is if any community can do it the Jeep community can!! Chloe was discharged from Knoxville Children’s hospital.  With less then 14 hours we had Jeeps from Knoxville to Charlotte Nc to cheer her on her ride back to NC. I love my Jeep family.  God put them in my life, he knew what we needed.  I will continue to be involved in everything I am able to attend.  I wouldn’t trade my Jeep life for anything.  It’s who I am.  It’s who I always have been and didn’t know it.  I will continue to live each day as it is my last, I will continue to do random acts of kindness. I’ll open doors for everyone and make at least one person smile everyday. You never know what what one small gesture will mean to someone.  It may just change their life. Just throwing out a huge thank you to each and everyone of my fellow Jeepers thank you for random acts of kindness thank you for the Jeep waves, thank you for having my back no matter what!! Thank you for your guidance on the trails. Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. We love all y’all!

For me, it’s about getting away from it all.  Escaping the concrete jungle for God’s country. Sometimes that comes in the form of mountain biking on a backwoods trail. Sometimes it comes in the form of dirt biking in unchartered territory. Other times, it could be about being near a beautiful body of water.  

Jeeping is the “escape hatch”.