Everyone’s got one of those stories—ya know, the story of their first real car accident. Some of them are pretty intense. I’m pretty sure my story is the weirdest. (Okay, you’re not really surprised at that, are you?)
I was 19, on my way back to school after Spring Break. I was cruising along in my car, Helga (that image that you just got? Yeah, that’s pretty much what she looked like. A tank.), just an hour and a half into my 6 hour trip when IT happened. Somewhere in the row of cars in front of me, someone slammed on their brakes. I can only guess why. All I know is the car in front of me stopped suddenly. So I stopped suddenly. And the car behind me stopped not quite as suddenly.
It was one of those seconds that feels like an eternity. (more…)
Sometimes I can’t predict how a situation will unfold. You would think, given that I’m a writer with an overactive imagination, I would foresee all sorts of possibilities. I often do, but sometimes the one that becomes reality is completely unanticipated.
Last week, I was doing a little bargain shopping. After standing in line for a good 30 minutes, I checked out and was attempting to exit the store when I realized the exit door was blocked. A lady stood in the doorway with two big bags sitting on the ground and a little boy sitting on one of the bags. I could have gone around her, out the entrance door. But instead, I did what most compassionate human beings would do: I asked if she needed help. (more…)
Have you ever had a chance encounter that ended up influencing your life? I don’t mean when you meet someone and you become lifelong friends, or you have an experience that causes you to rethink your life. Nothing that significant. I’m talking about some part of a brief interaction that has worked its way into your life.
Allow me to provide an example. 😉
When we lived in GA, there was a delightful, locally-owned Greek/Italian restaurant about 10 minutes from our house. My husband and I ate there a couple times and it was delicious. The Greek shrimp pasta, in particular, was quite amazing. We’re talking whole wheat pasta, bell peppers, feta cheese… (Excuse me while I mop the drool off my face..) (more…)