Friday, May 14, 2010

Life in the Not So Fast Lane -- Angels Watching Over Me

A couple of months ago, my husband and I made the journey of another PCS. Yes, we are a military family. My husband has been married to the Air Force longer than to me. He has completed almost nineteen years of service. This summer will be our six year wedding anniversary.

We decided to drive one car and tow the other one so we could all be together. Travelling with a two year old across several states. Figured it would make the trip easier. A few months before we moved, we took the truck into the shop to be serviced. The mechanic found several problems with the truck. Thus, "Angels Watching Over Me" in the title.

We knew we needed new tires and new brakes. Didn't know how bad the tires were, until after he took them off the truck and showed us how they were cracked. It is a miracle we didn't have a blow out at some point. There were other problems too with the rear differential leaking fluid all over the brakes. The mechanic even took a video tape of various problems he found with the truck. Never thought I would be watching a movie about our vehicle at the repair shop. Funny thing was when he connected the camera to the TV in the customer waiting room. The beginning of the video was his dog. He loves his dog like it was his child. Very sweet.

Luckily, we were able to have all these problems fixed. We made the journey to our new base. Arrived here safe and sound. Our stuff, well, that's another story. Gotta love movers. But that is what reminds you about what is really important in life. Not the stuff you accumulate, but the people you have with you to share this incredible journey we call life.

That brings me to another story that happened recently. I went to the commissary to get some groceries. I need to add that it was raining this lovely spring day in Colorado. I purchased a few items and put my son in his car seat then took the cart around to the back of the truck to put the groceries away. I forgot that I had let him hold the truck keys while I fastened his car seat.

It is when I have the back window to the SUV open that I realize Aiden has the keys! I hear the doors lock. I hear them unlock. Back and forth, lock, unlock. I run over to the passenger door where my son is sitting with the keys in his hands. Little two year old fingers pushing buttons. Lock, unlock. OK, now I can open the door, NO! Locked again. Now, uh-oh the truck just started.

Really? I freak out and try to get into the Navigator from the opened window in back. I get about half my body through and then... stuck. Oh, no! I figure everyone in this area of the parking lot must be laughing at me by now, but no. Everyone is busy with their own lives. Doing their own thing. Nobody seems to notice me hanging out the back of my SUV.

Then it happens! The most beautiful sound I thought I would hear. The doors are unlocked. I tell my son to not push a button. Mommy will be right there. My son must have been very amused by me. He didn't cry at all through all of this. I was able to get out of the truck and get the keys back from my son. Give him a kiss on the cheek and tell him that I love him. I get into the driver's seat. Before I put the car into gear, I put my head on the steering wheel and just laugh and laugh.

Proverbs 17:22 says it best. "A happy heart is like good medicine. But a broken spirit drains your strength."

1 comment:

  1. Nice story. If I would've been in the parking lot, I would have had to laugh first, at the sight of you hanging out the back of your SUV, then come and help. Once it was all said and done, I'm glad you found the amusement in all of it!

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