The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
My daughter's car's starter quit doing its job, has sat in its place for a month waiting for some human to take pity on it and fix it. Weather was bone cold, then as it warmed up, I bought the new equipment, jacked up the car, got on my back and slid under the car and said, uh..... Keep in mind I am fairly mechanical, recently changing out the radiator in same car so not afraid of wrench work - but I couldn't move any of the nuts, laid there looking up thinking, I can't do this! (accept the things I cannot change and knowing it!).
So - poor car sat a few weeks more, talked with local garage owner, gave him keys, light-heartedly joked with family that yeah, the new starter was in the car.... (in the box!). Holidays delayed the repair, no big deal since college break is on and not a big demand for the vehicle.
Today he drives up, pushes the car down the street, not very far from my house to his shop, I'm thinking I probably won't see it for another few days. 20 minutes later I hear it puttering up and mind floods with thoughts, most notably (Thank God it wasn't more than the starter!) and (I hope the bill isn't too high). I go out, guy comes to gate, tosses the keys to me as we exchange pleasantries, I ask how much I owe him and he says "Merry Christmas"!
I really like being a part of this small town I live in! Things like this remind me how much good there is in my life - I have friends with skills! ha, and I'm pretty sure that I'll someday pay it forward, or sideways, or even downright back somehow.
Its very nice to start a new year with one less thing to worry about, and a good lesson to my daughter about the value of always treating people with respect and friendship without expectations.
Happy New Year's Eve everyone - be smart and stay safe!
__________________
I am strong in the broken places. ~ Unknown
All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another! ~ Anatole France
Thanks for the share...made me tear up a little...in a good way. How comforting to hear such a sweet story. Lucky me, I feel like I have those blessing from others all the time through this community, my home group, and my church. Not just favors, but knowing that people around me care about me unconditionally even if we barely know each other. Once upon a time. I felt like I didn't have a friend in the world, and I had even cut myself off from my family. So, yes, I see how this year is ending on a good note.
