A couple of phrases/concepts I've recently heard via television or radio have managed to capture my attention and ultimately have worked into my muses.
Just yesterday while out for lunch, I was sitting at a red light listening to a radio commercial about retirement I'd already heard several times. What caught my attention was the premise being made that until that first day of a person's retirement, we each face deadlines near constantly. That fact is actually the underlining principle behind students being assigned homework in school. Learning to meet deadlines while producing quality work is the actual goal of homework...hmmmm.
POW!
As I pulled through the the red light, my right, front tire finally gave up the ghost. Granted, I had been pushing it for quite some time, and that green stuff called Slime you shoot into your tire for a slow leak problem can only go so far. Such is life, no big deal.
Limping into the closest parking lot for the required pit stop, I noticed a female sitting on a bench outside of this particular Walgreens. Duly noted to self. Surveying my surroundings is an old habit from years gone past. Old habits die hard but sometimes prove useful. I found a nice spot in the rear parking lot of Walgreens in the shade.
I opened my trunk and prepared to retract my spare for the task at hand. I'm thinking 10 minutes...tops.
Hey! I can change that tire for a few extra dollars!
From around the corner comes the aforementioned female on said bench, and it is immediately apparent to me what profession the aforementioned female is currently listing on her nonexistent resume. Great. Just great. Rear parking lot of Walgreens with a pro. This kind of stuff ends up news even in the most innocent of circumstances.
Aside from...ahem...services rendered on a personal level, she also boasted of mechanical skills and immediately started digging around in my truck trying to retrieve the jack.
I'll have you on your way in no time Sugar.
Tony C: Ma'am, that's okay. I can do this pretty quick.
Let me just get this jack out and we'll...
Her phone rings.
Hello. Waiting for you. You're late this week. Helping this guy change a flat tire. No! I'm really helping him change his flat tire. Okay. I'll be right here.
By this time, I had managed to fish a $10 bill from my wallet. Yes. A risky exchange, but...
Tony C: Okay look. Here's $10. Just go back to the bench and wait for your...friend. I'll take care of this.
For nothing? You don't have to do that.
Tony C: Yes. I know. I just need to change this tire and get back to work. Besides, what kind of gentleman would I be letting a lady change my tire. No offense meant of course.
Well God bless you mister. I can buy me some cigarettes now. God bless you.
Tony C: God bless you too ma'am, and I mean that with all sincerity. He blesses me all the time even though I don't deserve it.
(Smacking me on the arm) Yep, me too! Ain't that the truth Sugar!
My heart sank just a bit as I watched her walk away and then climb into the truck for her...ahem...appointment. An overwhelming sense of anguish fell over me as I reflected on the fact she was some body's daughter, maybe even a mother.
The radio commercial I was listening to when my tire blew out was trying to convey that responsibilities end at retirement, but we all face a last ultimate deadline even in retirement. We can't afford to rest, even in old age, on our responsibilities to God until that final retirement comes. That's true planning for the future.
My next post will look at the other phrase/concept I've recently picked up from...of all things...a sitcom.
1 comment:
I love the title to your post "Be kind whenever possible...and remember it's always possible." So often I think we choose to be kind to our friends, family, neighbors, etc., but we overlook those that aren't enough like us. Thanks for another thought-provoking post.
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