Starting the day off pissed!
When I woke up this Monday morning, I was in a bad mood. I had stayed up later than I wanted to the night before. I had more to drink than I wanted to. I had snored at night. I could tell because my mouth was dry. I also know I snored because Connie had woken me up in the middle of the night to roll me over. On top of that, I woke up at about 4:00 AM and couldn’t get back to sleep.
I even told Connie how I felt as we got ready for work. That seems simple but it rarely happens.
After Connie had left for her job, I started my day. It was ok, but there were more glitches than normal.
At 11:30 I went upstairs to warm up some leftovers for lunch. This is my least favorite meal, but one that I know is required.
It was getting towards noon. Which is when the bus is supposed to pick me up. So, I put my hat and coat on. Grabbed a small, blue Gatorade and my water bottle. Strapped my backpack on and sat by the window. 12:10 – no bus. 12:15 – no bus. 12:20 – finally my bus arrived.
As I closed the garage door, I noticed the driver. It was Tom (name changed intentionally). Yes, the bus driver from hell. Ugh! That’s how this day is going to be.
My shoulders slump. I asked his name. “Are you Tom?” He said, “yeah, I know you”. Crap, he knew me. On to the bus.
This was sure to be an awful ride. I was bummed.
I go to grab my seat and there’s someone else on the bus. I said “hi” and sat down.
Then, the voice replied, “Hi. Blue Gatorade is my favorite”. I replied and that’s where it all started. For the next 15 minutes, we talked about our disabilities (that’s why we were on the Mainstream bus), our abilities, our families, and of course social media. Come to find out, she’s a quadriplegic as of August 2020. You never would have known it by listening to her. She’s confident, but not arrogant. She’s resolved, but not stubborn. She knows who she is and who she isn’t.
She was living in Arizona when the accident happened. She grew up in Dublin, Ohio which is where she lives now with her parents. I still can’t get over her attitude. I get grumpy because the drivers won’t always drive the way I want them to drive. Here she is a newly made quadriplegic with a great outlook on life. She was amazing.
She changed my attitude at that moment. My complaints seemed so small. My confidence came back. My worries became fewer.
She asked who I had recently spoken for and where they were located. I told her it was a group that supports those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in South Dakota. She thanked me for not saying “special needs” because we all have needs.
She also said that she never guessed she would have made a friend today. Me either Madison. Me either.
She even sent me this picture of her winking with Wagner!
The best part of my day is when you reply to tell me your thoughts. Hit reply to let me know what you learned from this story. Click here to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel.
- UPDATE – The old and the new - July 18, 2023
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This is something that I try to always think of when I’m feeling down. Somebody has it worse than me so I try to be positive. It’s hard at times. Thank you for posting this.
Hi Hope,
Thank you for your comment. It means a lot. It’s important to remember and remind others as well.
Would a free weekly video be a good reminder?
Have a great holiday season!
Brian
Thank you for sharing your story. I have been in a funk lately and this story smacked in the face and made me realize how thankful and blessed I am for the life and family I have. I hope you stay in touch with your new friend. I have a feeling she has much to say.
Thank you Sherri! I plan to. I really appreciate your comments.
You and your new-found friend remind me of how little my problems and worries are and that I should not get pissed but rather Praise the Lord for my many blessings. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for being right there with me. It’s all about the journey until we reach our destination.
Complaining
By Stroke of Genius
Lisa and I attended a great worship service then decided to go to brunch at our favorite place. As we sat chatting about the sermon she threw me for a loop. She said this, “We all complain about something in life.” I asked her to repeat that statement to be certain I had it right. She did and I did. I thought about it long and hard. She could tell that something was going on “inside of my head”. I stated then I was going to write at some point. I had to “think about it” first. You see I used to be one to complain back in the day. Hearing this today made me think and I do have a complaint to make. It is this… “We do not have enough LOVE in this world.” I was told in my teens that you cant complain about something without coming up with solutions also. So in keeping with that premise is this:
• “I LOVE MYSELF because GOD LOVES ME”.
• “I LOVE PEOPLE even when they cant or wont LOVE THEMSELVES”.
• “I LOVE MY NEIGHBOR as I do myself.”
Yes we all can complain. It is our nature and what we do. But when you find a solution to put into practice…you resolve the complaint. I can resolve my complaint with 3 simple words…”I LOVE YOU”. So when you complain today…think about how much we have in life to be thankful for first. You made a new friend today because it really easy to complain until it happens to you. Love you Brian and the new friend you made.
James, you always say the right thing at the right time. I’m so glad you’re in my corner. I love you too!