Angels Among Us
When I think of what happened today, I think of the song "Angels Among Us" by Alabama. I have soo much to write about - and yet so much to condense so the story doesn't get too long. So here I go!
Well today - I woke up at Ball State running on time. I'd been visiting Courtney for the evening. This is interesting because usually, I always leave from there soo late! I got on my way, and I notice that my car is really fighting to change from first gear to second gear, which is going from like 30 - 40 in my car. It would shake something fierce, but I just kept thinking to myself, "You just need to get home!" Then, it was time to hit the interstate. Obviously, I was extremely nervous about this, but I remained calm. The car started off not able to make it to 40. It physically was shaking and fighting to get into second gear. Being dumb me, I forced it to. I needed to get home!!
I went for about 2 miles in second gear when the car started violently shaking and then I lost control. The car started to move into the lane to the right of me, and at this point - I was so scared. I thought there was a car next to mine, and I froze. My body felt like it wouldn't move because my car was acting SO horribly. As soon as I regained control, I realized there was not a car directly in the other lane, but that one was approaching. I tried to slow my car down, but it wouldn't. The car was stuck in second gear and would not change. It shook and sounded like it locked up. After fighting for what seemed like forever, I got the car to switch.
I wanted to make it to some place like McDonald's so that I could use a bathroom, get some food and possibly find more help. I was set on McDonald's just due to price and their selection of food/drink. I made it to the nearest exit (26 - Anderson) and parked the car. At that point, the car was running decently - it would function alright doing about 15mph. I went in to McDonald's and ordered my lunch. I dropped my lunch down at a table and called Dad - he's usually my main contact person when it comes to car trouble. (Thanks Dad!) I talked to Dad about all of the possible problems and stuff, but it came down to the fact that I really needed it towed to Greenwood and I needed a way to pay for it. I told him just to give me a call when he could talk to Mom about what her plans were for the day, and that I would just do homework until I heard back from him.
"Excuse me, sir," was what I heard from behind me. An elderly lady was sitting at a high-top table in McDonald's and asked me if I was having car trouble. She asked me all about it and then told me that she wanted to help. I was thrilled, and I knew that this was God saying, "Calm down, Chris! You let things get to you soo much, and you need to understand I'm in control". So - I let him be in control. She looked down towards my table and said, "Is that your lunch?" I said yes, which she responded with, "Honey, eat your lunch and I'll figure out some numbers for us to call to get a towing service." So, I ate my lunch peacefully knowing that I was being taken care of.
After I ate, I returned to her table, and she said, "Bring your stuff over here". (I had my bookbag and coat with me) So, I did. She stuck her hand out and said, "I'm Betty. Nice to meet you." We exchanged a few intro words and then she had me call a few numbers. The service she recommended was $275. Wow! I was nervous at this point because no one I know has that kind of money just sitting around able to be spent on a whim. So we called a few numbers and got anywhere between $175 and $300. I really didn't have this kind of money. So, the lady says to me - "I would pay for all of it because you're such a fine young man, but I don't have that kind of money sitting around." I was very thankful for her offer, but obviously I would never expect her to do such a thing. We continued to chat about numerous things, and I knew that God has placed her in my path for a reason.
Dad called me and told me that Mom was on her way! Oh, was I thankful! Mom and Dad have AAA insurance, and they get a certain number of miles covered for free when towing. So, I told Miss Betty thanks for all of her help with finding a service, but that I was just going to wait on Mom to get here so I knew a final price on towing. I also told her I was thankful that God had placed her there at the right time because I needed some guidance and friendship along the way. She told me that she felt the same way, and that it was interesting - Her church lady friends went elsewhere for lunch, but she was craving a cinnamon roll and just wanted to grab one from McDonald's. After finishing her cinnamon roll, she decided to hang out for another 15 - 20 minutes because she didn't feel comfortable leaving yet. Obviously, God knew fully what he was doing.
She ended with thanking me for making her day because she got to help someone. So, I asked, "Could I ask a favor of you?" She said of course, and she even said she'd do it without even thinking about it. Now, many of you don't know this, but I'm writing a book about everyday people that turn out to the the heroes in our life and it's based off of my site (www.chrisbeaman.net/heroes). So - my favor was, "Would you be willing to let me include you in my book?" and I gave her one of my buttons that says "I'm One of Chris' Heroes" on it. At this point, she began crying. She stayed another 20 minutes just talking about her faith, belief in everyday heroes, and the meaning of life. She also wanted to make sure I told my parents what an incredible job they did raising such a fine young man, and how proud they must be of me. She needed to pick up her older sister soon, so she decided to head out. She said, "I'm going to get going because I know you're busy and have things to work on!" < What an incredible experience!! ...but it doesn't stop there!
So Mom got there about 30 minutes after Betty left. We ate, argued about how to get the car home (only for like 30 seconds..), and just talked for about 45 minutes and then called AAA insurance to see what the damage was going to be. AAA then informed us of a policy they have for "RV Plus" owners. The first 100 miles of towing was free. Wow. I didn't think the experience could get better. Obviously, I was now out a car, and Mom had missed her opportunity for her Sunday nap, but look at what had happened! A free towing! I didn't think it was possible...
As mom and I waited for the truck, and sat around eating apple pies, I told her of the lady. She couldn't believe it was true. After chatting about the lady for a minute, Miss Betty came walking back into McDonald's! (This is about an hour and 15 minutes later!!) She had something she wanted to give me. She told me, "I buy these for people that mean a lot to me!" She placed it in my hand - it was a green stone that had engraved: "Friends Forever". Wow.. She was thrilled that I was still there, and couldn't stop telling Mom how much I meant to her and how much of a 'fine young man' I was. Mom was beginning to tear up because some woman who she'd never met is going on about her son is something special to her.
It was an incredible feeling - the feeling that you've touched someone's life by a simple act. There was sooo much left out of this story and it's still ENTIRELY too long. All of the emotion felt today could never be compiled into a blog or facebook note. Somehow God took a horrible situation of a transmission dying to an incredible situation of meeting one of His angels.
Please take a look around and see who all is around you. Be thankful for those around you and what they mean to you. I know sometimes it seems silly or absurd that I try to raise awareness of Chris' Heroes, but this is the exact reason I do it. (At least) 3 lives were touched today, and that feeling is something phenomenal. I love all of you, and I wish you the best. Please please please take time out of your day today to recognize someone who you love and who has changed your life. If you don't know how good it feels, you can! It's time we made this world a better place to live in.
Well today - I woke up at Ball State running on time. I'd been visiting Courtney for the evening. This is interesting because usually, I always leave from there soo late! I got on my way, and I notice that my car is really fighting to change from first gear to second gear, which is going from like 30 - 40 in my car. It would shake something fierce, but I just kept thinking to myself, "You just need to get home!" Then, it was time to hit the interstate. Obviously, I was extremely nervous about this, but I remained calm. The car started off not able to make it to 40. It physically was shaking and fighting to get into second gear. Being dumb me, I forced it to. I needed to get home!!
I went for about 2 miles in second gear when the car started violently shaking and then I lost control. The car started to move into the lane to the right of me, and at this point - I was so scared. I thought there was a car next to mine, and I froze. My body felt like it wouldn't move because my car was acting SO horribly. As soon as I regained control, I realized there was not a car directly in the other lane, but that one was approaching. I tried to slow my car down, but it wouldn't. The car was stuck in second gear and would not change. It shook and sounded like it locked up. After fighting for what seemed like forever, I got the car to switch.
I wanted to make it to some place like McDonald's so that I could use a bathroom, get some food and possibly find more help. I was set on McDonald's just due to price and their selection of food/drink. I made it to the nearest exit (26 - Anderson) and parked the car. At that point, the car was running decently - it would function alright doing about 15mph. I went in to McDonald's and ordered my lunch. I dropped my lunch down at a table and called Dad - he's usually my main contact person when it comes to car trouble. (Thanks Dad!) I talked to Dad about all of the possible problems and stuff, but it came down to the fact that I really needed it towed to Greenwood and I needed a way to pay for it. I told him just to give me a call when he could talk to Mom about what her plans were for the day, and that I would just do homework until I heard back from him.
"Excuse me, sir," was what I heard from behind me. An elderly lady was sitting at a high-top table in McDonald's and asked me if I was having car trouble. She asked me all about it and then told me that she wanted to help. I was thrilled, and I knew that this was God saying, "Calm down, Chris! You let things get to you soo much, and you need to understand I'm in control". So - I let him be in control. She looked down towards my table and said, "Is that your lunch?" I said yes, which she responded with, "Honey, eat your lunch and I'll figure out some numbers for us to call to get a towing service." So, I ate my lunch peacefully knowing that I was being taken care of.
After I ate, I returned to her table, and she said, "Bring your stuff over here". (I had my bookbag and coat with me) So, I did. She stuck her hand out and said, "I'm Betty. Nice to meet you." We exchanged a few intro words and then she had me call a few numbers. The service she recommended was $275. Wow! I was nervous at this point because no one I know has that kind of money just sitting around able to be spent on a whim. So we called a few numbers and got anywhere between $175 and $300. I really didn't have this kind of money. So, the lady says to me - "I would pay for all of it because you're such a fine young man, but I don't have that kind of money sitting around." I was very thankful for her offer, but obviously I would never expect her to do such a thing. We continued to chat about numerous things, and I knew that God has placed her in my path for a reason.
Dad called me and told me that Mom was on her way! Oh, was I thankful! Mom and Dad have AAA insurance, and they get a certain number of miles covered for free when towing. So, I told Miss Betty thanks for all of her help with finding a service, but that I was just going to wait on Mom to get here so I knew a final price on towing. I also told her I was thankful that God had placed her there at the right time because I needed some guidance and friendship along the way. She told me that she felt the same way, and that it was interesting - Her church lady friends went elsewhere for lunch, but she was craving a cinnamon roll and just wanted to grab one from McDonald's. After finishing her cinnamon roll, she decided to hang out for another 15 - 20 minutes because she didn't feel comfortable leaving yet. Obviously, God knew fully what he was doing.
She ended with thanking me for making her day because she got to help someone. So, I asked, "Could I ask a favor of you?" She said of course, and she even said she'd do it without even thinking about it. Now, many of you don't know this, but I'm writing a book about everyday people that turn out to the the heroes in our life and it's based off of my site (www.chrisbeaman.net/heroes). So - my favor was, "Would you be willing to let me include you in my book?" and I gave her one of my buttons that says "I'm One of Chris' Heroes" on it. At this point, she began crying. She stayed another 20 minutes just talking about her faith, belief in everyday heroes, and the meaning of life. She also wanted to make sure I told my parents what an incredible job they did raising such a fine young man, and how proud they must be of me. She needed to pick up her older sister soon, so she decided to head out. She said, "I'm going to get going because I know you're busy and have things to work on!" < What an incredible experience!! ...but it doesn't stop there!
So Mom got there about 30 minutes after Betty left. We ate, argued about how to get the car home (only for like 30 seconds..), and just talked for about 45 minutes and then called AAA insurance to see what the damage was going to be. AAA then informed us of a policy they have for "RV Plus" owners. The first 100 miles of towing was free. Wow. I didn't think the experience could get better. Obviously, I was now out a car, and Mom had missed her opportunity for her Sunday nap, but look at what had happened! A free towing! I didn't think it was possible...
As mom and I waited for the truck, and sat around eating apple pies, I told her of the lady. She couldn't believe it was true. After chatting about the lady for a minute, Miss Betty came walking back into McDonald's! (This is about an hour and 15 minutes later!!) She had something she wanted to give me. She told me, "I buy these for people that mean a lot to me!" She placed it in my hand - it was a green stone that had engraved: "Friends Forever". Wow.. She was thrilled that I was still there, and couldn't stop telling Mom how much I meant to her and how much of a 'fine young man' I was. Mom was beginning to tear up because some woman who she'd never met is going on about her son is something special to her.
It was an incredible feeling - the feeling that you've touched someone's life by a simple act. There was sooo much left out of this story and it's still ENTIRELY too long. All of the emotion felt today could never be compiled into a blog or facebook note. Somehow God took a horrible situation of a transmission dying to an incredible situation of meeting one of His angels.
Please take a look around and see who all is around you. Be thankful for those around you and what they mean to you. I know sometimes it seems silly or absurd that I try to raise awareness of Chris' Heroes, but this is the exact reason I do it. (At least) 3 lives were touched today, and that feeling is something phenomenal. I love all of you, and I wish you the best. Please please please take time out of your day today to recognize someone who you love and who has changed your life. If you don't know how good it feels, you can! It's time we made this world a better place to live in.
Labels: angels, Chris' Heroes, Courtney, God, inspiration, Jeep, McDonald's, Mom
posted by Chris at
11:32 PM
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