4 miles to E
Yesterday was Christmas Day. Tiffany and I were up early as John-Michael and his family were scheduled to pick up Ben and Tanner to go their Mother's house in the morning before we hosted dinner at 2. By the time they headed out at 8:30 we had most of the food ready to pop in, with the ham and green beans already in the crock pots. As we sat for a minute, we began to talk about the things we had forgotten to pick up, including salad dressing, bottled water, and a couple of gift cards that we were going to be giving family later.
A quick google search revealed that both Family Dollar and Rite Aid were open yesterday. Not that I wanted to go to the store on Christmas Day. The thought of grumpy last minute shoppers waiting in line made me cringe, especially when I realized I would be one of them. But both brands had a location in Mt. Gilead, so I decided to make the quick drive and get what we needed.
I had let John-Michael take my van to his Mom's because it is a little easier to get everyone in and out of than his car. So as I was leaving I told my wife I was taking her Honda.
"You might have to put gas in it" she said as I shut the door.
I was not surprised. For quite some time now my wife has been playing the game "See if Michael will put gas in my car before I run out". She is undefeated in this particular game.
I have gotten in the car when the gas light was on. When the indicator told me it was less than 25 miles until it was out completely, I asked if she was cutting it a little close? "Nope, I know my car". Ugh that is my line. I have even seen it under 10, which prompted a conversation about planning ahead, what it is like being on the side of the road, and how may times AAA will bring you gas. But as I started her HR-V yesterday morning, I realized that the fact that she even made it home may have been a Christmas Miracle in and of itself.
4 miles to E
4
Not 25, Not 15, Not 10.
NOT EVEN 5
4 miles to E
I turned the car off and walked down my long driveway to the sidewalk in front of my house. I looked down towards the Duke station a few hundred yards away to see if they were open. If not, I was out of luck. The Marathon station on the other side of town keeps bankers hours already, and Mt. Gilead is 6 miles away. I watched - and saw a car pull away, then another pull in. I walked back to the garage and, two minutes later, I was standing at the pump, filling her car up.
She wins again. Still undefeated.
I headed to Mt. Gilead, where I found both Family Dollar and Rite-Aid to be closed. The sign at the dollar store that suggested I make the 35 mile hike to the closest store that was open in Shelby Ohio was not encouraging, even though I had the gas to get there! I started back home when I noticed several cars in the parking lot outside of another local drug and convenience store. I pulled into the lot, watched intently, then nearly jumped for joy when people walked out with shopping bags full of merchandise.
Another Christmas Miracle, brought to you by Discount Drug Mart. You know, they save you the run-around AND you'll find everything you need.
True Story.
The rest of the day was filled with family, food, and festivities. And as I sat in the living room, on the end of the sectional, I felt so humble and blessed. To hear the laughs, see the smiles, listen to the stories, and watch the faces as gifts were opened in my home, the whole day was magical. Of course it always has been. From my Mother's last Christmas when I got the Pocketwatch to the day my wife got her second chance at life, it is always the best day of the year.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas as well
But seriously, 4 miles to E?
Day #2490
Day # 731
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he sent his only son. that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have ever lasting life"
So it is good to be all of us. And we should all be thankful.
See below, my grandson walking!!!
A quick google search revealed that both Family Dollar and Rite Aid were open yesterday. Not that I wanted to go to the store on Christmas Day. The thought of grumpy last minute shoppers waiting in line made me cringe, especially when I realized I would be one of them. But both brands had a location in Mt. Gilead, so I decided to make the quick drive and get what we needed.
I had let John-Michael take my van to his Mom's because it is a little easier to get everyone in and out of than his car. So as I was leaving I told my wife I was taking her Honda.
"You might have to put gas in it" she said as I shut the door.
I was not surprised. For quite some time now my wife has been playing the game "See if Michael will put gas in my car before I run out". She is undefeated in this particular game.
I have gotten in the car when the gas light was on. When the indicator told me it was less than 25 miles until it was out completely, I asked if she was cutting it a little close? "Nope, I know my car". Ugh that is my line. I have even seen it under 10, which prompted a conversation about planning ahead, what it is like being on the side of the road, and how may times AAA will bring you gas. But as I started her HR-V yesterday morning, I realized that the fact that she even made it home may have been a Christmas Miracle in and of itself.
4 miles to E
4
Not 25, Not 15, Not 10.
NOT EVEN 5
4 miles to E
I turned the car off and walked down my long driveway to the sidewalk in front of my house. I looked down towards the Duke station a few hundred yards away to see if they were open. If not, I was out of luck. The Marathon station on the other side of town keeps bankers hours already, and Mt. Gilead is 6 miles away. I watched - and saw a car pull away, then another pull in. I walked back to the garage and, two minutes later, I was standing at the pump, filling her car up.
She wins again. Still undefeated.
I headed to Mt. Gilead, where I found both Family Dollar and Rite-Aid to be closed. The sign at the dollar store that suggested I make the 35 mile hike to the closest store that was open in Shelby Ohio was not encouraging, even though I had the gas to get there! I started back home when I noticed several cars in the parking lot outside of another local drug and convenience store. I pulled into the lot, watched intently, then nearly jumped for joy when people walked out with shopping bags full of merchandise.
Another Christmas Miracle, brought to you by Discount Drug Mart. You know, they save you the run-around AND you'll find everything you need.
True Story.
The rest of the day was filled with family, food, and festivities. And as I sat in the living room, on the end of the sectional, I felt so humble and blessed. To hear the laughs, see the smiles, listen to the stories, and watch the faces as gifts were opened in my home, the whole day was magical. Of course it always has been. From my Mother's last Christmas when I got the Pocketwatch to the day my wife got her second chance at life, it is always the best day of the year.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas as well
But seriously, 4 miles to E?
Day #2490
Day # 731
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he sent his only son. that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have ever lasting life"
So it is good to be all of us. And we should all be thankful.
See below, my grandson walking!!!
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