Making memories one day at a time.......and then I write about it.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Paying it Forward

Several years ago, I was driving home after dropping Henny Penny off at her gymnastics.  I was tired, not feeling well, and shouldn't have been driving.  I came to an intersection where I needed to turn right.  There was enough room to pass the cars lined up at the stoplight for me to pass and make the right turn.  Or so I thought......  As I squeezed past several cars I started to pass a truck and our side mirrors hit.  I slammed on my breaks and froze.  I looked over at the driver and wanted to die.  The truck was gorgeous!  It was obvious the driver took a lot of pride in his truck.  I looked at the driver and kept mouthing over and over to him, "I'm so sorry"!  I didn't know what to do!  I've never forgotten what happened next.  He smiled at me and waved me on.  What???  He wasn't going to get out of his truck and see if I'd damaged his mirror?  He wasn't going to yell at me that I shouldn't have passed him since there wasn't enough room?  He smiled at me and waved his hand several times reassuring me it was okay and to carry on.

I drove away humbled and in awe.  That man had taught me a valuable lesson.  I'm a hot head.  Especially when I am driving.  (Blushing).  Had the tables been turned, I'd have been yelling my head off at the idiot driver!

I've thought about this lesson many times and have said a little prayer in my heart each time as I've thought of this man over the years asking Heavenly Father to bless him.  Where ever he is, bless him.

Today I was able to pay it forward.  I was at the 'Marts and walked up to my truck with my cart full of goods junk food.  A white SUV was parked next to mine and a tired harried mama was trying to get her little ones into their vehicle.  Two little boys ran over and yanked open the door slamming it against mine.  The  mother exasperated yelled at her little ones not to slam the door to which they ended up doing again.  In a panic, the mother rounded the truck to see me standing there looking at a big white paint job now on the side of my truck.  She apologized profusely.  I smiled at her and told her no worries.  It's just monetary.  It's an object.  No harm done.  Another reassuring smile and I got in my truck and drove away.

To the man who taught me a valuable lesson, thank you.  May I keep learning to pay it forward and where ever you are, God bless you!

14 comments:

  1. That whole story just made my heart so happy that my eyes sweated. Bless you and your truck driving friend who started this series!

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    1. There are so many good people in this world..... I wish my hot headed temper wouldn't get in the way so many times of me seeing that!!!

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  2. What a great story to share! I know you made that mama's day.

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    1. We've all been there....... You'd do the same. I know you would.

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  3. I was turning to park at the stake center when I was pregnant with Murphy - and for one of the two times in my life that I misjudged the curve, I cut too close and dented a car in the next stall. I felt terrible - and I had to find the person it belonged to and tell them I had done it. He came out with me and said, "My wife is going to freak - this is her new car." But then he did the same thing - like, oh, well - it was going to get a dent in it someday anyway - and he didn't ask me to fix it or anything. I was so grateful. The second time - like twenty two years later - it was at Michael's crafts when I tried to get the closest parking space, which turned out to be WAY smaller than I thought. I ended up leaving this long narrow trough in the side of the next car. Then I had to go into Michael's and FIND the lady. It was a leased car that they were going to turn in, and she took my info and said her husband would call me. I always worry about these things, because you never know what the person is going to claim you did - and she, herself, had run into the metal trash can just the week before, backing up. They didn't call for the longest time. But when he did, it was very amiable. No insurance incidents. He agreed to have Ron fix the car - all of his dents, since they'd charge him through the nose at the leasing company. So it turned out great - I paid Ron for my part, and they paid for theirs - we got a great price, fine work, and got to bless Ron's family too.

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    1. I told you about the time I was at Jo-Ann's and took out the side of a ladies car. When I found her she informed me that her husband had just lost his job that day and here on top of that I crunched her car door!!! SICKENING! I felt terrible!!! Again, she was so kind. She had every right to take it out on me, but she didn't. Man I've much repenting to do!!!

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  4. Great story! You rock! So does that guy who waved you on!

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    1. I hope I never forget what he did for me.... it was huge! If you'd seen his truck, man oh man....... It was a beauty........

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  5. Thanks for sharing! I loved this story!

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  6. So many lessons to be learnt in life. My travels to India and Asia in my younger days made me appreciate things so much more and try not to be frustrated. I will always remember this older lady with a baby in her arms standing in a crowded bus for 7 hours on a bumpy dirt road, no-one offered her their seat and she never complained. Many travelled on the roofs.

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    1. Wow! That poor lady!! We are so blessed in so many ways and need to remember that. I do anyway.......

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  7. Yeah, this made my eyes sweat too. Oh phooey, I've run out of visiting time. Well, thank you for brightening my morning.

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    1. I'm glad you stopped in for a minute. I wish you had more time to put up your feet and chat for awhile. :) You need a vacation!! To Utah perhaps even!! :D

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