The trouble with having your name on the truck door:
Sue and I had been out for supper for our anniversary and stopped by Wal-Mart in Terre Haute for some grand-kid supplies. When we were walking back to the truck the lady parked beside us said "You don't remember me do you? 26 years ago I was broke down along side the road Highway 154 and you guys gave me a ride to my dad's place." I guess I'm a bit ashamed I didn't, but I'm glad it is not so uncommon to offer someone help that I don't remember all the faces.
Sue and I got to discussing some of the folks we had stopped and assisted (my kids will tell you the old guy rarely passes a stopped vehicle with a person inside, especially a female with kids). I guess one thing really stuck with us. We have done it so often that it is second nature to us, and so few of them we remember.
I'm sure to them it is a memorable experience and like Pam (the lady's name) they remember details. But to us it is just something we do. I only remember one time vividly. We were coming back from Sue's folks and a young woman and child were stranded. We ended up bringing them home for the night and arranging for their car to be repaired the next day. It is the only time I really felt we stuck our necks out for 2 reasons. 1) we brought them into our house even though we did not know them (and to be honest I can't tell you her name today) and 2) we went to our local mechanic, who had a wrecker at the time, and told him we would guarantee he was paid for the parts on this job so the only risk he had was the labor.
I am also struck by something else. I do not recall ever feeling threatened in any way. As pastor Jack would say, God has been good to us.
Sue and I had been out for supper for our anniversary and stopped by Wal-Mart in Terre Haute for some grand-kid supplies. When we were walking back to the truck the lady parked beside us said "You don't remember me do you? 26 years ago I was broke down along side the road Highway 154 and you guys gave me a ride to my dad's place." I guess I'm a bit ashamed I didn't, but I'm glad it is not so uncommon to offer someone help that I don't remember all the faces.
Sue and I got to discussing some of the folks we had stopped and assisted (my kids will tell you the old guy rarely passes a stopped vehicle with a person inside, especially a female with kids). I guess one thing really stuck with us. We have done it so often that it is second nature to us, and so few of them we remember.
I'm sure to them it is a memorable experience and like Pam (the lady's name) they remember details. But to us it is just something we do. I only remember one time vividly. We were coming back from Sue's folks and a young woman and child were stranded. We ended up bringing them home for the night and arranging for their car to be repaired the next day. It is the only time I really felt we stuck our necks out for 2 reasons. 1) we brought them into our house even though we did not know them (and to be honest I can't tell you her name today) and 2) we went to our local mechanic, who had a wrecker at the time, and told him we would guarantee he was paid for the parts on this job so the only risk he had was the labor.
I am also struck by something else. I do not recall ever feeling threatened in any way. As pastor Jack would say, God has been good to us.
1 comment:
I remember helping many through the years.
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