I started righting a few short stories about life. I was gonna compile a bunch of stories for a book. However, my time to write has been so limited that I dont know if I would ever finish enough stories to fill a book. So Ill just post a story occasionally for you to read. WARNING: its a short story, not a normal Facebook post. It may take a few minutes to read. Sitting here thinking about the circle of life. How will I be remembered? Im sure Ive rubbed some people the wrong way. Im sure it wont be the last time. I can be aggressive and narrow minded. My wife tells me I need to stop and just listen. These days with two kids, house payments, car payments, and a small business to run its hard to slow down and just enjoy life. The other night at Meijer my son ran out into an aisle and a man had to bring his cart to a screeching halt to avoid hitting him. I was quick to scold Miles and bring him back to my side. I was having a one on one, heart to heart, with him about listening to me and staying close. The elderly man with the cart came closer and said you know theyre only young once, enjoy them...this time goes by faster than you know If I had a dollar for every person that has uttered those exact words to me. I shake my head in agreement with him, but Im thinking my sons time is gonna be a little shorter than you think if he actually runs out in front of something that doesnt stop. I dont remember the exact date. It was an extremely cold February night. I was in Des Moines, Iowa for a weekend gig. I had left home two days earlier with a couple hundred dollars in my wallet. I flew into Des Moines Friday evening and checked into my room. Ive been known to play a game of poker occasionally and after a quick google search I found a poker room about 11 miles away. The night was young, so I headed out into the cold. I bought into a 2-5 no limit game and played for a couple of hours. I got involved in a big hand around 1030pm. I had flopped the nut flush against two guys flopping sets and a third guy flopping a flush draw. I cashed out over $900 in one hand and headed back to the hotel. The next day was a normal day at the office, a couple thousand people in a local arena. They were all there to watch their kids compete in hopes of taking home the trophy. I talked for about 10 hours, keeping the crowd energized in between performances. The event ended and I headed back to the hotel to relax. The windfall from the previous night was calling me out...lets do it again. So I hopped in the car and headed back to the poker room. The second night was going very well. I was playing a 1-2 no limit game. I had bought in for $120 and was sitting with $380 in front of me. I moved to a 2-5 game and bought in for $300. I figured if I busted out Im down $40 and I can head back to the hotel. An hour later Ive got over $600 in front of me and I cash out with a smile. It had been a great weekend. I had a check back at the hotel from my gig and I had won over $1500 playing poker. I was walking out to the car and the hair in my nose had the tingly freezing feeling. I started the car and the outside temperature read -14 degrees. I couldnt wait for the car to warm up. The expressway was fairly desolate that night. I had driven about 5 miles when I seen a shadow jogging along the side of the road. I glanced again at the outside temperature and back in my mirror as I drove over a peak in the road and the person was out of sight. I continued to drive. I had over $1800 in my pocket, I didnt want to get robbed. I hadnt seen any broke down cars. I had not passed an exit in 3 to 4 miles. Where was he coming from? I slowed down and pulled over on the side of the road. I put the car in reverse. A few headlights drove by as I started backing up. I was thinking any minute I would see him coming over the peak in the road. It seemed like an eternity as a few long minutes passed. I couldnt get the vision of his desperate run out of my mind. It was like watching a runner crossing the finish line of a marathon, that last burst of energy...arms flailing side to side. I was waiting patiently staring in the mirror, but he never showed. At this point Im thinking one of the cars that drove by must have picked him up. So I put the car in drive an pulled back out onto the expressway. I drove about 2 miles when I came to the first exit. I slowed down and pulled off to see what warm options presented themselves. It was an industrial area with no open signs to be found. At this point, Im thinking even if he makes it this far, there is no sign of shelter. I took my wallet out. Took $1000 and hid it under the drivers seat. I took another $500 and hid it under the mat in the back seat. The rest of the money I divided into different pant pockets. I guided my car back onto the expressway and headed back the direction I had just came. I drove about 5 miles before coming to an exit where I could turn around. It had been nearly 15 minutes since I had first seen him jogging down the side of the road. I drove a bit slower this time, looking for any sign of life. I was afraid I would find him lying on the side of the road, on the snow covered shoulder. In the distance, I couldnt believe what I saw. There was a man jogging along the side of the road. I thought to myself, How many cars had passed him in these freezing temperatures? I slowed down beside him and asked him if he wanted a ride. He gladly jumped in the car. He was froze to the bone. Ice sickles hung from his nose. I started driving...not sure how far I would have to drive that night. He looks at me at says do you know how many cars drove by me before you stopped? He took off his gloves and tried warming his hands by the heat vents. He asked me if I believed in God. He started reciting Bible verses. I really didnt get in too many words. He asked me about my family. I asked him where he was headed. He replied West Des Moines We passed the exit to my hotel and literally drove about a quarter of a mile, 2 more exits, and he said this is my exit I got off the exit and asked which way. He said this is good right here. Are you sure? I asked. Yes, this is great. Thank you again for stopping...you and your family will forever be blessed. God Bless You and he stepped out of the car at the top of the exit ramp. I turned left to turn around and get back on the expressway. I glanced in my mirror as I turned the corner and he was gone. I stopped the car in the middle of the road. I checked all my blind spots but he was nowhere to be found. He had disappeared into the night. I have no doubt in my mind that God sent an Angel that night. I dont know if it was a test. I know it is a night I will never forget. A couple years have passed since that cold night in Iowa. Ive been blessed with a narrow minded, stubborn, bullheaded 2 year old amazing son that didnt fall far from the tree, but he is a blessing. I have an amazingly beautiful 6 month old baby girl with a smile that melts my heart. I married a sensitive, caring, dedicated wife that never stops amazing me with her love for our family and me! Every night I take a knee next to Miles bed. Most nights I fight back tears and other nights I just let them fall as I thank God for Miles, Finleys life, and Brooke. I pray for my family and friends, and I thank God for everyone that has ever influenced my life. Life still has its ups and downs. I just try and focus on the positive and step over the negative. Im sure Ill have hundreds more conversations with my kids about respect, obedience, listening, and Gods love. The old man was right. Time sure does pass quickly these days, but Life is what you make it. Ive truly been blessed.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 18:45:37 +0000
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