“How’s your day going?’ I ask most of my passengers. Usually they give me a fairly positive answer, then ask me how my day’s going. I give the same answer each time.
“My day is always great! But, then again, I’m delusional! Of course, it’s my delusion, and I only have to convince myself. It’s a good thing I’m so gullible!” I usually get a laugh.
From time to time, though, I get stories that shake any delusion I might have. These are two of them.
When I arrived at my rider’s location, she approached the car with a baby in a car seat. She answered my usual banter with the usual responses, and we were on our way.
In between our casual conversation, she kept asking her baby why she was crying. She wasn’t wailing, just making those uncomfortable baby sounds we parents hear. The mom seemed frustrated. It was obvious that this was probably her first child. I was wrong.
“Is that your first child?’ I asked.
“No,” she said, “She’s my third.”
“My oldest daughter is in her early twenties. She was raised by another family who adopted her when she was born. We’ve stayed in touch. In fact, she just had a baby herself. We were pregnant at the same time.”
I didn’t ask, but she told me, “She was adopted because she and I have the same father. My father raped me when I was thirteen.” My heart sank.
She continued, “I have an 11-year-old son who lives with an aunt. I’ve had a tough life, but I’m gonna do the best I can with this little one.”
We reached the destination.
“I’m so sorry that you’ve been through so much,” I said. “I promise you and your baby will be in my prayers. You deserve a break.”
A couple of days later, I picked up another lady. It was one of the many “insurance” rides I get during the weekdays.
“How’s your day going?” I asked.
“Not very good,” she said. “I’m going to lose an eye.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said. “What happened?”
“A man put his hands on me and gave me an ulcer in my eye. They can’t save it, but my other one is good. I also have diabetes.”
When I told her that I would pray for her recovery, she had more to add.
“My new ex-husband got mad at me when we were married and poured hot grease all over my legs, which gave me third-degree burns.”
She pulled up her pants leg and showed me the horrific scars. Her attitude is the thing that stuck with me. I picked her up at a nursing home.
“I love taking care of other people. It makes my life worth something.”
Most of the time, I pick up people who just need a ride somewhere. Every once in a while, I pick up people who need a whole lot more. Please keep these ladies and everyone around them in your prayers.
Those rides remind me of something I heard last week while listening to a Mike Rowe podcast. His guest was a gentleman named Todd Rose. Toward the end of the show, Todd talked about his concern that our country was losing some of the local civic and charitable organizations that used to help local people in need.
I’m lucky enough, however, to have the opportunity to see hundreds of volunteers who do step forward.
He’s starting a new movement called “Be The People,” which is designed to strengthen those already helping.
Those two ladies reminded me that most of us have no idea what the person beside us has endured. Sometimes the greatest blessing we can give is a kind word, a prayer, or simply the willingness to listen.
If you’re looking for a way to help, Todd Rose’s ‘Be The People’ movement is one place to start.
Thanks, and God Bless,
Tommy