wilkin250r
Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2003
- Messages
- 570
Much of our hardships are perspective. I've seen plenty of thought-provoking and inspirational threads, I thought I'd share my own.<br /><br />Several years ago, I was driving home from work, I was downshifting on a small hill, and the transmission went out.<br /><br />This happened at a time that seemed stressful in my life. Money was tight, working overtime at work on special projects, and I was working on my college degree and approaching finals. Everybody has these problems, but not always all at once. They seemed to be piling on my shoulders, slowing my steps and weighing me down. I certainly didn't need car trouble on top of it. Of all the rotten luck...<br /><br />I did the only thing a person could do, I coasted until I found a suitable place to pull over. I found a spot near a small doll shop, and pulled into the dirt parking lot. I went inside, and met an old couple that ran the shop and borrowed the phone. (This was before cell phones were really mainstream). After I made my call and waited, I talked with the old couple, I would estimate they were mid 70's. I mentioned my car troubles, and how it added so well to the rest of the problems in my life. I will never forget the woman's reply, because it hit me square in the chest.<br /><br />She said "I know what you mean. I have leukemia."<br /><br />Wow. Talk about a change of perspective. Suddenly, my problems didn't seem so big. Instead of final exams looming over my shoulder, I could see that I was almost done with the semester. My work? I was reminded of how much I truly enjoyed my job, which not many people can say. My financial problems? They just didn't seem important right then and there. Every mountain in my life became a molehill. I thanked the old couple, and sat in the warm sun on a beautiful spring day and waited for the tow-truck driver.<br /><br />Dear Lord, thank you for my little transmission problem, for I have carried the lesson with with me ever since.
