Gotta Love Miracles

 

If you did not know, lunch time in Harris Teeter parking lot at THE FIELDS, can be an oasis of brilliant observations. One may ask, how can 6 tie the parking lot at the local grocery store, to a day on the beach. Sit back and enjoy. On PVV, all of the old folks (owners) come to the beach, swaggering in the entitled world they occupy. Their perceived entitlement extends to all aspects of their lives, not just the four walls Al Bundy claims as his castile, thus making them, oblivious to the world around them. One day, as 6 was walking to the store from the packed parking lot, taking his good old time, for it was only Tuesday high noon and this was the 14^thtrip to the store. 6 was displaying his virtue of Patience, trusting that 4,7 and 8 would exercise priority and complete their shopping in an expedited fashion. It was at this pint 6 noticed an owner in a Maserati Lavante circling the parking lot, much like a vulture stocking its prey. Finally, she found a free parking space, what 6 realized she was looking for a spot where she could do a “Pull thru Maneuver”. Since this person was an actual owner, and a contemporary of Moses, she pulled the ultimate trick… 6 calls it the ½ pull thru, which means leaveing the back end of the car in the space behind the one they intended to park in. Only an entitled person, would understand this move, two for the price of one. Since it was lunch time, many of the workers where coming in to get their lunch, so guess what, here comes a dually, pulled right behind the Maserati, so close that one could not fit a hair between the bumper of the truck and the lift gate of the SUV.  Just about that time the owner and her great granddaughter came back with her cart full of groceries, the look on her face was incredible, veins started to pop, red faced and walking as if she was and exterminator of the ants beneath her feet! She could not get the groceries in her SUV because there was no way possible to lift her tailgate!  She was faced with three choices. First put the cart in front of her car, no room to put it on the side, and carry each bag to one of the side doors of her SUV. Second, 6 offered to help her do exactly that, but since 6 had not shaved or showered in the past 4 days she told me to go about my business, she did not need any of my help. Logic and love for others would lead one to that being the best option, but not for a self-centered narcissist owner, of course, she had an even better Idea. Third, pull her SUV out of the space, and park it in the middle of the road, this way she would have access to her tailgate, and would not have to extend any additional effort. It did work (for Her) but for anyone else who wanted to get out of the parking spaces, or drive on the road, they just had to wait. The funny part was while she was pulling out the owner of the Dually pulled away. Did someone say that patience was a virtue? That was no concern to this owner, for the world is hers not ours. The miracle would have been if the owner would have just demonstrated a fragment of patience or concern for others, her granddaughter and all the world would have been in balance.  What does a crowded parking lot have to do with a beach? The true miracle would be, for one to demonstrate patience and empathy for others, passing those virtues one from one generation to the next.  Tell me this kind of behavior doesn’t extend to the beach, not necessarily old owners, guess who taught the young beach goers in the art of beach decorum?

Several years ago, 62 gave 7 and Miraculous Metal. This metal was one of 7 prized possessions. He wore with pride and humility for years, life was good. Then one fatal night a very bad storm passed through his neighborhood. The storm knocked out the power, and downed several branches onto his yard and driveway. It appeared that an F-5 storm destroyed his yard, but left his house in perfect condition.  The next morning 7 had to do some major clean-up prior to leaving for work, for a rather large branch had deposited itself in the middle of his drive way. 7 proceeded to cut then drag the branches to the woods so he could get his car on the road, and proceed to work. 7 completed the task and was able to make it safely to work. But upon arrival, he felt as if something was wrong, not exactly sure why he was feeling other than things were just not right. After a long uncomfortable day at the office, 7 realized that what was bothering him, the Miraculous Metal was missing! Before he knew it, he was on his way back home and traced his every move he made while moving the branches, hoping that he would miraculously find the Miraculous Metal. No luck, the metal was nowhere to be found. Over the next several years he tried may different approaches to find the metal, including using a metal detector. Still no luck! As it happened, exactly 5 years to the day, another major storm swept through his neighborhood. This time he woke up to water damage to the wall along his driveway, and not downed branches. Since it was Saturday (no work) he began making the necessary repairs to the wall. One of the steps was to get fill dirt from the woods. On the final wheelbarrow load of topsoil, as he dumped it in the hole, he noticed something reflective peering out of the soil. Low and behold he found his prize position. The Miraculous Metal in perfect condition. 5 years to the day that he lost it. WELLLL 7 that is a true miracle!!

Just imagine what it would be like at the gate to Paradise if Barney would just disseminate Miraculous Metals instead of paper passes and owner stickers. Over a short period of time Virtues would conquer, self-absorbed behaviors. The narcissists would all end up in the woods with all of the other broken branches.

 

WORDS OF WISDOM: "Miracles do not, in fact, break the laws of nature."

C.S. LEWIS