Uber is a ride-hailing company with a cute sounding name. The service is popular when wanting to save time, avoiding the worry of a place to park. Recently, our granddaughter offered an intriguing suggestion. “Granddaddy, you should drive for Uber. You’ll meet new people and hear their stories. Plus,” she added, “it’ll be great fun.” I did, picked up my first fare .. and then I ran the numbers.
Bruce
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Handkerchiefs Are Not Only For Blowing
The men in our family have always carried handkerchiefs. Not the fancy silk models perfectly placed to impress, but the functional variety kept at the ready for work. These simple squares of fabric offer more than the obvious benefits. They can hold back your wife’s tears at a wedding, clean ice cream off a grandchild’s cheek, and polish your glasses – as well as become make-do as a sling, tourniquet, bandage, signal flag, washcloth … it’s a long list. But I found one more to add to it …
Today He’s Clean and He’s Sober
Todd Hastings was in lock down at a city hospital where he’d been for nine months after a massive stroke from Wernicke’s encephalopathy. His years of substance abuse, along with excessive drinking, had led to a thiamine deficiency, that brought on his stroke the night he was arrested. Fortunately, the officer called paramedics instead of simply throwing him in the drunk tank. After almost a year in Carolina Medical Center, with most of his memory lost in the damaged areas of his brain, Todd started his eight-year trip to recovery.
Becoming That Guy
I want to be that guy. You know him. He always takes time to listen, never jumps in. When you’re with him, you feel important. You matter with that guy. Some are born that way, others need time. The saddest are those who never become that guy; even when they try. I wasn’t born that guy. I’ve been given plenty of time. So if I want to join, I’ll need to get to changin’ – and here’s where I’ll start.
Walking Into A Resolution
Walking through my days, I bump against things that upset me. “It’s just not right,” I think to myself. I might even mumble it out loud. Then I shrug and walk quickly past. I’m on my way to the urgent. This can wait for another day. Yet, I’m still proud I at least noticed, when most seem so unaware. Indifference keeps us safe. As the saying goes, “Just stick to the knitting to avoid any hassles in life,” right?
Memories of Christmas Past
My memories of Christmas all run together – like one big happy dream. The family gathers for good food on the table, with gifts to share, then everyone leaves full of The Good Spirit hoping to make the moment last for another year.
A Perfect Gift
Finding the perfect gift is difficult. If you’re anything like me, you already have what you need. Thankfully, there’s a solution to this ancient problem with an old-fashioned gift exchange. It doesn’t involve an elaborate dinner table with decorations galore or even a coiffured tree with sparkling lights .. just a small gift of kindness …
Stepping Out
I’ve always had a love affair with cars. It goes back to my youth. Growing up, there were three junkyards within a few miles of my home. There may not be many junk yards for cars near you today, but there are other yards where the discarded and marginalized are kept.
One Story At A Time
Jessica Bunch thinks even the smallest step starts a journey. That’s why she began the OneWorld Stories ministry. Jessica arranged for an eager elementary class in North Carolina to connect with a similar group of children in Uganda. It’s a simple idea which resulted in a wonderful children’s book – and a beautiful story in and of itself.
A Prayer for Thanksgiving
“Thank you,” is my prayer this Thanksgiving, and for every day here after. No matter where, with whom, or how, I celebrate – my prayer is the same. I’ll say thank you until I mean it. And, if that’s all I ever say, it’ll be enough.