When I drove to Colorado
a few weeks ago,
I knew my truck was due an oil change.
Growing up in the sparsely populated desert
I know how important keeping your vehicle in
PROPER working order
with regular maintenance is.
It can mean
life
or
death.
Literally.
I could drive a stick shift,
4 on the floor
by the time I was 8,
and living in the country
I drove every chance I got,
so I have learned this lesson
many
many
many
times.
Take care of your vessel!
anyway,
I called down to DJ's to ask if they could
change the oil
and
get to me today.
"Yes, if you can come on down now,
he has one up on the rack
and he is almost done."
I get to town
and park my truck
and go in the front office
of the garage.
There sat Brittany holding her
precious little boy. He is probably a year old.
Just a baby.
Now,
let me set this up .....
Brit has written a history for herself
here in
E town.
I don't mean to talk
ugly
about anyone,
we all have written our history in
E town.
Anyway,
she has been one of my
massage clients,
she was BFF to my niece,
Fave.
She was and still is beautiful.
I have always liked her a lot.
Several years ago
she took a wrong turn in her life
and did some things that had all of
us spinning.
She stepped out with Fave's man.
Now, I could talk all day about
the "man" in this, but we will leave that for later.
Britt also got in trouble with the law,
doing just what, I don't know,
but I know it involved
money,
my money,
your money,
everyones money
became her money.
I don't think you are supposed to do that.
I think she was working at the bank here in
E town.
We all learn our lessons,
one way
or
the
other.
So, I know Fave was
deeply hurt and
a life long friendship was
destroyed.
I don't know if B had to go to jail,
but it was a bad deal.
Years have passed,
and now she has a job
as receptionist at DJ's Tires and Oil Change.
As it is in small towns,
I never mentioned her troubles
when we crossed paths
at the store or post office or wherever
I would just be polite and say hi.
She knows how close Fave and I are.
She knows Fave
tells me everything
and
I know
just
what
she
did.
Snake in the grass she was.
Ok, so someone disappoints you,
lets you down,
hurts you.
You forgive them and
you move on.
Being raised a Christian girl,
forgiveness is taught as one of the most
important
things
we
do
or
don't
do
in
thisb
life.
It was always stressed that
forgiveness
doesn't have to mean
forgetfulness.
I forgave B
along time ago
for what she did to
Fave and her babies.
I never really forgot about it,
but I don't sit around thinking about it either.
Let it go.
Brittany has worked here for a while.
Joann and DJ are owners of this gas station
and have been for many years.
They recently sold the cafe
and small grocery/gas part,
and now just do tires and oil change.
Joann and I have grown up together
and
I played drums
for
her
sister
in a country band
years ago.
Anyway,
Once again, small town,
E town
history.
Joann came in shortly after I arrived
and we started "catching up"
The mainstay topic for everyone anymore
is "How is your Mom and Dad doing?"
The conversation takes its course and she ends up sharing with me
the struggles she and her sisters are having with her parents.
Her parents and mine have been friends for years, and are about the same age as M & D. Maybe not quite as old, but they are getting there.
Joann has several sisters
and they each take a day
to take care of their folks.
My thoughts crept into jealousy. What a bone.
"They pick a day" wow
"They take turns" wow
Its always my turn.
I have always wanted a sister.
Brothers are brothers.
The thought of having someone to share the rollercoaster with thrills me!
Then its gone.
Not going to happen, never has, never will.
Ok, bla bla bla,
B's little boy had been so good, but he was getting
tired and restless so I reached for him and he reached his
precious little arms up to me.
What a thrill,
What a joy,
what perfect love.
perfect
perfect
perfect
boy.
He was so sweet, but tired
so I kinda started giving him a little back rub
and swaying back and forth
and within a minute or so
he was getting heavy and his little eyes
were taking
L o n g s l e e p y b l i n k s.
He laid his little head down,
and BOOM
I'm in love again.
Completely emersed in the joy of this precious child.
All of a sudden
Brittany looked at me and said,
"Since I have my savior here with me
(referring to Joann)
I feel brave enough to say this to you.
I couldn't do it alone.
I want you to know how sorry I am
for what I did to Fave .
I wouldn't wish that on anyone,
and I did it to my
best friend.
You will never know how bad I feel about it.
I wish I could take it back. I was so wrong
and it was so bad, the things I did.
I am so sorry,
and I hope you can forgive me.
I don't know if I will ever be strong enough to say this to Fave.
I hope I can someday.
Like I said, I don't know if I could have been brave enough without Joann."
Her tears were flowing
and Joann and I looked at each other and smiled.
"Babe, there is not one of us on this earth
who has not made our mistakes.
I forgave you along time ago.
The hardest part sometimes is
forgiving yourself." I said.
"I hope and really do want to say this to
Fave,
but I dont know if I will ever be able to.
Please tell her for me ok?"
"Of course I will." I said.
The baby slept thru the whole thing,
my truck was done,
and the whole thing ended at the same time.
What an oil change.
I fell in love,
I got full on a big bone of jealously & forgiveness,
and my favorite toy is ready to run.
I
have
it
all.
:-)
[Image]Oil and Gas
