Not a Spring Chicken!

I had quite the ultimate……. remark made to me this morning.  Alright, maybe it was more of an insult!  After dropping Jack off at the doggie day spa this morning, I ran back home for coffee, breakfast and a quick check of emails.  Thinking I was going to have a rather pleasant day, I drove the car to the dealership for my 3 month/3000 mile oil change.  I am faithful on the oil change.  Always have been, always will. 

I went to this guy once who was very honest , he inquired about the distance I drove, etc and he honestly told me that I could go more with the 3000 miles rather than the 3 month oil change.  Great!   My car was the best, never had problems with it and it was about 10 years old at the time.  So I thought I’ll just not worry if I go to 4 months but still keep up my traditional scheduled oil changes.  Old habits die hard right? 

Then I bought a new car and the dealership suggested 3 month oil change or 3000 miles if that happens first, to keep all the engine parts running in top condition.  I’ve been following that regulary scheduled visit for well over a year.  Except this time around I am about a month late.  My bad.  Been a tad bit busy this summer.  But today, oh my.  Was I in for a shock.

So I arrive a few minutes early, with my book and more coffee, and I settle in.  After about 45 minutes this kid comes out and says to me “M’am ((and I HATE being called that)) you were just here at the end of April, you’re not due for another year.” And he just looks at me.  And I just look at him.  Thinking he is slightly confused from all the car fumes he inhaled this morning I very politely tell him that I am not here for an INSPECTION but rather a regular oil change.  He agains calls me “M’am” and I want to sling my coffee in he cute little young face, he proceeds to explain to me that he is just trying to be nice and save me some money but really I don’t need the oil change.  It may be 4 months since my last oil change but I still have a good bit to go to hit the 3000 miles. ” Hmm” I say, “I’ve been doing the 3 month oil change since I bought the car here, even get a coupon for the next visit in 3 months, why was I told to do the 3 month when its not really needed?”  he again explains I can do the oil change but I don’t need it.   My old habit kicked in and I told him to do the oil change, especially since I have already been here for an HOUR!!!! 

One chapter in my book later I am called to get my car.  I pay my bill ask for my keys and the clerk says that the car was just brought out and the tech has the keys.  Soooo I head outside for my insult.  I mean car.  Poor kid.  He kept digging himself deeper in the mud pit that I wanted to push him into.  He hands me my keys and again explains that I really don’t need to change my oil that often.  He says that, and I quote, “Not that I am comparing you to a senior citizen BUT older folks just don’t drive around that much and in that case you don’t need your oil changed but once a year.”  I just looked at him, smiled, grabbed my keys from his punk little hand and got in my car.  I watched him as he walked away, he actually turned around to watch me get into my car.  I wonder if his employer knows that he was doing his best to insult me AND avoid the 3 month oil change that they recommend?

Okay, now you’re probably wondering just how bad did I look today right?  Well I was definitely not at my best at this point in the early morning but I did take a shower, put on a little make-up, I had my hair in a ponytail and had one of my yoga shirts on which shows a little cleavage.  I also carried a stylish coffee mug (my coffee deserves to be trendy too), a very stylish purse and a cell phone that the elderly wouldn’t even attempt to figure out.  I don’t get it.

Meeting New People

My Aunt once told me that I could meet a total stranger, strike up a conversation and have a new friend in a matter of minutes.  She’s probably right, I have been blessed with a ton of friends.  Since 2003 I have moved to two different cities and then back home and I can honestly tell you I have a trail of friendships along the way.  It’s so easy for me to just start talking and become friends.

Tonight at the gym was no different.  Tonight I met this woman and we chatted our time away on the treadmill.  What an inspiration she is.  We were comparing our diet plans, workout routines and then got to our health and weight gain.  That’s when she really captured my attention and I realized I wasn’t talking to someone who just happened to be beside me.  Anyone of us could have been dealt the hand she was dealt but not many of us could endure what she has.  She patiently listened to my story of divorce and losing my parents so close together, then having to go through their home of almost 50 years and clean it out.  It was a difficult time for me but she had it much much worse. 

She battled stage 4 uterine cancer.  And won.  Then joined the gym and lost 50 pounds to boot!!  How awesome is that!  She has a husband and small kids, and is cancer free and taking better care of herself.  Stage 4 cancer.  Beat it.  I cannot imagine, and I hope I never do but what an inspiration!!! 

We all have our stories, every one of us.  And each story has some sort of a battle, whether it be cancer, divorce, or death.  Each one of us hurts, and heals, and eventually inspires another lost soul.  I also believe we all cross paths for a reason.  Whether it be a moment to chat or a blossoming friendship but all for a reason, a lesson learned perhaps.  So, go out and meet someone new.  Inspire, or be inspired.

Love to all!

A Special Friendship

Hmm where to begin….
I met a man many years ago. An elderly man that volunteered at the hospital.  At the time I worked in Cardiac.  We quickly became friends as he transported patients in and out of my unit.  His wife also volunteered, she passed away shortly after I started at the hospital.  I then transferred to the Volunteer Department and our friendship blossomed.  We had many chats on everything you could imagine.  He was a very prominent man in the community and church.  He was a WWII veteran and often spoke of his time overseas.  He was a pilot and was shot down.  He was rescued and survived under the attentive care of the village women and children.  He and his lovely wife visited the village often through the years as they had built special friendships.  When his wife passed away he returned to the village.  They had prepared a memorial for her.  I think it stands beside the memorial they have for his heroism in the war for protecting them.  I loved hearing his stories.  Especially the war stories, some of them cheerful and comical, he rarely spoke of the unkind acts.  But mostly of his and his buddies survival.

Then I moved away for four years, we stayed in touch via email.  When I returned home for weekend family time I often stopped at the hospital.  We’d hug and chat some more.  Now, I’ve moved back home.  After a year in a different job at the hospital, my old job became available, and turned out to be mine once again.  We picked up right where we left off.  I remember my first day back in the volunteer office, what an incredible bear hug I received.  His age has caught up with him, he no longer transports patients but instead dispatchs for the transports.  That kept him at the desk but still in a very busy area of the hospital.

He began having some health issue’s.  Then I received the dreaded phone call from his daughter, he was given 2-4 weeks due to kidney failure.  He seemed to not be ready to give in to his illness, so his family moved him to a very nice nursing home where he enjoys the best care.  Hospice visits too.  I needed to visit him for what I knew would be the last time.  Surprisingly he looks wonderful.  He looked up at me at the door, the biggest smile I have ever seen filled his beautiful face and once again he wrapped his arms around me for my last bear hug.  He is still just as sharp as ever.  He also told me about a boat ride at our lake the following day.  He seemed a little nervous but I know he’ll gather his strength and have a wonderful time. 

And, he told me another story, the last one I would ever hear from him.  He bought his wife a diamond tennis bracelet, it contained a diamond for every year of their blissful marriage, they were so in love.  Over the years he has taken a diamond from that bracelet and made a piece of jewelry for his family.  Earrings for his daughters, grand-daughters, and great grand-daughters.  The men of the family got a diamond tie clip.  I wanted to cry right then and there from the beauty of the story but I couldn’t.  The love and joy from him consumed me. 

He has touched so many lives, has made so many friendships over the years, it’s just not time yet.  There are still good-byes to made.  Friends to see one more time.  He knows his time is coming and he has accepted it with the courage and faith that I knew he would.  A beautiful man.  A lovely person.

I had to share, I am blessed to have had his friendship and share in his life.  I hope you all have met someone like this.