The following post is from my Facebook page, the day before Thanksgiving, 3 years ago. I had lost my business, my family, the ones I love, my best friend. I was living in my car, at a rest stop. I had no job, no money , and a TON of uncertainty to what the future would hold. I wasnt sure if I would make, or wanted to.
Here is just one of the many stories from my life, that tells why I believe that “LIFES A SPORT….TRAIN FOR IT!!! ”
November 26, 2015
Sometimes things you are thankful for just sneak up on you.. I was sitting in McDonald’s alone at a booth this morning, looking at all the Facebook posts and just sad, missing a lot of people, and feeling like I don’t have much to be thankful for at this time…
A stressed out mom comes in with 4 kids. A teenage boy, a boy about 9, a girl about 7 who was holding onto mom, and last a little 4 yr old boy..
She takes them to the booth connected to mine, and as they all sit so she can get in line, the smallest starts to grump… ” I dont want McDonald’s” ” I don’t want to sit here” … He listened to mom, and sat down with his arms folded…. He looked at me, I smiled, and he smiled back… As his siblings were picking on him and mom was fed up, he got up and walked next to my booth and stood…
His mom quickly grabbed him, and apologized to me for him coming over… I told her, “He can sit with me if he wants, I don’t mind… I could use the company”….I looked at him and he nodded and looked at her for approval…
I guess I don’t look like a serial killer or crazy man, with my Braddock Road youth club wrestling coach shirt on, because to my surprise, Mom let him sit….
He told me he was 4. He told me he was mad because his brother was picking on him, and his mom kept yelling at him. He was upset because he didnt want Apple’s he wanted fries.. and he was tired from being in the car so long.. I didn’t tell him about MY troubles, as mine suddenly seemed small..
He told me about his grandma that was making turkey, and they would see her soon… He gave me one of his chicken nuggets ( I woukd have crushed all of em lol ) … I told him my favorite joke.( How do u make a tissue dance? u put a little boogie in it!)
We talked about what he wants for Christmas, and I told him that he needs to be good for Mom all month for Santa to bring it…
The entire thing took less than fifteen minutes, as they were in a hurry to get back on the road.. His mom stood up and got the clan together, she thanked me and wished me a Happy Thanksgiving.. The boy gave me some fist pounds, with an explosion of course (said his brother taught him that) and he wished me a Happy Thanksgiving like his mom told him to…
I dunno why, but it made the world ok for a few moments.. I’m thankful for nice people, and kids, who have no idea what they just did…Happy Thanksgiving little man… You won’t remember our lunch together, but i will never forget it..
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.. never take anything, or especially anyone, for granted… It could all change tomorrow… Hug the ones you love tight today..