Help thy neighbor

Have you ever been stranded? We all recognize that helpless feeling. Which way do I turn? What do I do? Sometimes when you can't figure it out, God sends someone to help you out. I was that someone twice today.

We spent time with my daughter, her husband and my grandson who at age fourteen, has lost all ability to speak in full sentences. Grunts and one word responses are about all he can muster. The kid can't carry on a conversation with anyone over fifteen, but you should see him slug a ball. Seriously, his coach thinks he may have a future in major league baseball. I am so proud of that non-verbal young man with straight A's. They live on this lake. It is so peaceful there. The geese have young little waddlers that are so cute! I love water. We walked around the lake. Austin jogged with his buddy. He's in training for the 'majors'. Good to have a goal in life.

Grandson, Austin on the left and his buddy, Zach.

We were driving down the road when we saw a granddaddy of a box turtle trying to get across the road. His head out looking left, right, at us. He'd clocked a few years; he was as big as a dinner plate. I'm sure he's crossed that road a time or two by himself, but I told hubby to stop! I jumped out, picked up the turtle and placed him on the other side of the road. I felt better.

This evening as we were returning from a band concert in the park, we were at our exit. Across the road on the on ramp, I spied a grandfather with a young kid (who probably conversed fluently with his grandparents. But then, he didn't appear to be fourteen yet). They were walking, thumbing, wringing their hands, trying to figure out what to do. I recognized that helpless feeling.

Instead of turning off the highway, I went across the road back onto the on ramp and stopped. We offered assistance. Their car was broken down on the highway. The Bosnian man was ever grateful for the use of our cell phone, but alas, no one answered at the number he dialed.

So, hubby took me home and went back to pick up the man and his wife and two grandchildren and drive them home. That is the way we live our lives, doing unto others as we would have them do unto us.

Whether it is a turtle stranded on the center line, a person on the side of the road, or a fellow-writer stranded in their writing and in need of encouragement, reach out with a helping hand. One person passing a kindness forward is like a ripple in the lake.

P.S.
Hubby just walked through the door. He said on the way home his cell phone rang. a man said, "WHO IS THIS?!"
Hubby said, "Bill."
The man said, "What do you want?"
Hubby said, "What do I want?! YOU called ME!"
They hung up, confused...

Merely a miscommunication. It was the guy whose phone number the Bosnian man had dialed, but hubby didn't realize it until he just relayed the story to me. I am laughing so hard. He doesn't understand what I think is so funny.
He said, "The poor guy probably thinks I was pranking him," which made me laugh even harder.