Today marked the end of 17 years. Today, A&B Tire closed it's doors for the last time.
It's crazy to think that the place my dad has worked so hard to build and keep up for the last seventeen years is no more. But with the downfall of the economy, this is a decision that is long overdue.
So today, my mom and I took off and spent the day in Greenville with my dad. We took down and packed up all personal momentos. We loaded up the plaques and pictures. But really, we reminisced.
I feel like that place was so much of my childhood. I remember when he first opened the business and Bubba and I would go down the Greenville so we could shoot commercials. We used to ride the car lifts up and down, up and down, up and down. We never grew tired of it. We used to LOVE to open up the vending machine and coke machine to get a snack out. I would go to work with dad and my job was putting orders into the computer. I also LOVED to wash the blue off the white wall tires. Bubba would go out and do service calls on the road. The highlight of our day with dad would be when the "roach coach" came and dad would buy us something terrible, yet delicious.
I hated driving away from A&B Tire for the last time. But I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is what my family needs to do. I am looking forward to getting my dad back...not the stressed out, grumpy, overwhelmed guy that's been at home for the past few years.
And just for the record....I thought about riding the car lift one more time...but didnt.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
This was posted on another blog I read...and I thought it was definitely worth sharing.
I saw something very touching last night.
Or maybe heartbreaking is a better word.
As I was going down into the chilly subway station to wait for the train, a man was standing on the platform close to the wall.
From my quick peripheral observation (which I sadly have mastered since living here) I could tell he was, or looked, homeless or very poor.
The assumption seemed to be confirmed when I heard him mumbling something to people as they passed by him.
To each person he mumbled the same phrase.
I couldn't tell what he was saying, which probably meant (I thought) he was drunk or a little crazy and wasn't saying anything intelligible at all.
This assessment happened in about 2 seconds time as I approached him, seeing the person in front of me pass on by, not even glancing his way.
I passed by, not even glancing his way.
I felt a pang of guilt. (Guilt or the Holy Spirit convicting me?)
I heard a man's voice behind me say kindly,
"What is it you need, Sir?"
I turned around and saw the whole scene.
The man who didn't pass by was a business-looking man... clean cut, long nice dress coat.
Again, the man mumbled his line.
The man who didn't pass by asked him to repeat himself because he couldn't understand.
Finally he heard, and I heard, what the man what saying...
"Would you mind doing me a small favor?"
"Sure, what can I do for you?"
(He was just as uncomfortable as the rest of us would have been in the same situation. You could tell he was painfully aware of all the others on the platform staring at the scene, and aware of the potential hazards in stopping... but he stayed)
"Sir, would you mind zipping up my jacket? I'm crippled and can't do it on my own."
Immediately his handicap became obvious... a shriveled hand and forearm stuck up against his chest.
The man who didn't pass by proceeded to move in close... as close as you would have to be to zip someone's jacket zipper.
That's a pretty intimate process... way beyond the boundaries of personal space... it's something parents do for their small children who are not yet able.
He fumbled for a few seconds with the zipper on the man's dirty maroon jacket, and proceeded to zip it up. There they stood, face to face.
The crippled man was obviously touched, saying, "Thank you so much, Sir, thank you so much."
The train pulled up.
I stepped in the same car as the man who didn't pass by, and I could hear the crippled man yell again, "Thank you so much, Sir!"
As we pulled away from the station, we saw through the window the crippled man still standing where he had been.
I looked over and saw (what looked like) tears in the eyes of the man who didn't pass by.
I said to him, "That was really amazing what you just did."
He looked down sadly, shook his head, and sincerely said,"No, it really wasn't. I could have done so much more."
Yes, I guess he could have.
But he did so much more than any of the rest of us were willing to do.
And in his small gesture he gave something invaluable back to this man... his humanity.
He said to him, "Yes, I hear you speaking, and I care enough to stop... and to be patient and listen to what you have to say, even when it is so uncomfortable, and to put my fears aside in order to meet a need you have... in order to LOVE you. And I do this because it is what Jesus has done for me, and what He has done for you."
This beautiful, heartbreaking picture reminded me of what Jesus said about loving.
I praise the Lord today for people like this man- my husband- and pray that I would love Jesus so much that I would not pass by.
I saw something very touching last night.
Or maybe heartbreaking is a better word.
As I was going down into the chilly subway station to wait for the train, a man was standing on the platform close to the wall.
From my quick peripheral observation (which I sadly have mastered since living here) I could tell he was, or looked, homeless or very poor.
The assumption seemed to be confirmed when I heard him mumbling something to people as they passed by him.
To each person he mumbled the same phrase.
I couldn't tell what he was saying, which probably meant (I thought) he was drunk or a little crazy and wasn't saying anything intelligible at all.
This assessment happened in about 2 seconds time as I approached him, seeing the person in front of me pass on by, not even glancing his way.
I passed by, not even glancing his way.
I felt a pang of guilt. (Guilt or the Holy Spirit convicting me?)
I heard a man's voice behind me say kindly,
"What is it you need, Sir?"
I turned around and saw the whole scene.
The man who didn't pass by was a business-looking man... clean cut, long nice dress coat.
Again, the man mumbled his line.
The man who didn't pass by asked him to repeat himself because he couldn't understand.
Finally he heard, and I heard, what the man what saying...
"Would you mind doing me a small favor?"
"Sure, what can I do for you?"
(He was just as uncomfortable as the rest of us would have been in the same situation. You could tell he was painfully aware of all the others on the platform staring at the scene, and aware of the potential hazards in stopping... but he stayed)
"Sir, would you mind zipping up my jacket? I'm crippled and can't do it on my own."
Immediately his handicap became obvious... a shriveled hand and forearm stuck up against his chest.
The man who didn't pass by proceeded to move in close... as close as you would have to be to zip someone's jacket zipper.
That's a pretty intimate process... way beyond the boundaries of personal space... it's something parents do for their small children who are not yet able.
He fumbled for a few seconds with the zipper on the man's dirty maroon jacket, and proceeded to zip it up. There they stood, face to face.
The crippled man was obviously touched, saying, "Thank you so much, Sir, thank you so much."
The train pulled up.
I stepped in the same car as the man who didn't pass by, and I could hear the crippled man yell again, "Thank you so much, Sir!"
As we pulled away from the station, we saw through the window the crippled man still standing where he had been.
I looked over and saw (what looked like) tears in the eyes of the man who didn't pass by.
I said to him, "That was really amazing what you just did."
He looked down sadly, shook his head, and sincerely said,"No, it really wasn't. I could have done so much more."
Yes, I guess he could have.
But he did so much more than any of the rest of us were willing to do.
And in his small gesture he gave something invaluable back to this man... his humanity.
He said to him, "Yes, I hear you speaking, and I care enough to stop... and to be patient and listen to what you have to say, even when it is so uncomfortable, and to put my fears aside in order to meet a need you have... in order to LOVE you. And I do this because it is what Jesus has done for me, and what He has done for you."
This beautiful, heartbreaking picture reminded me of what Jesus said about loving.
I praise the Lord today for people like this man- my husband- and pray that I would love Jesus so much that I would not pass by.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Happy Birthday Bubba...from some international students!
Last semester, Praveen, Aravind, and Yoshi met Bubba, when Bubba was in town to visit me one weekend. We all hung out one night...
... as the three of them walked into the BSM today for free lunch, they "reminded me" that today is Bubba's birthday. (I guess they saw it on Facebook) I got a brilliant idea to make a video for Bubba featuring my international friends. I thought I'd share with you too.
... as the three of them walked into the BSM today for free lunch, they "reminded me" that today is Bubba's birthday. (I guess they saw it on Facebook) I got a brilliant idea to make a video for Bubba featuring my international friends. I thought I'd share with you too.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Time to get honest...
So I was home for a couple of days to celebrate Bubba's birthday (more on that later). I told my mom yesterday that we needed to call Jeremey today (Valentines) to see how he and the kids are doing. We got kinda busy and never did.
After birthday celebrations wrapped up tonight, I packed up the good ol' Explorer and headed back to Commerce. As I was driving, I started thinking about Jeremey and the kids. I ended up texting Jeremey to let him know that I was thinking about him and the kids. I had to text him on Margaret's phone though, since that's the phone he is using now. It was weird to see that I was sending a text to her phone, knowing that it's not actually going to her.
And the waterworks turned on. As I drove down 30, I started wondering if he would get the text..and what he would be doing as he got the text....and would he text back? I figured Gretchen and Barton were probably already in bed, so he was just sitting up enjoying the peace and quiet. But was it peaceful for him...spending his first Valentines WITHOUT the love of his life? I can't imagine what that must be like.
Then I started thinking...will I EVER BE OKAY WITH THIS? I mean...really.... I probably break down at least once or twice a week since Margaret has passed away. Every time I think about the kids growing up without their mom, I get a knot in my stomach and a lump in my throat. I just don't see how God could do that. I feel like He was on vacation that day...as if that was the ONE DAY that He stepped off the throne. Of course I know this is not true....but it sure feels like it. When I get honest with myself, my heart is asking "How could a loving God STEAL an amazing, loving mother from two YOUNG kids who may never remember their mom?" I hate to admit it, but there are times that I think, "Aren't there plenty of other people who could have died that day instead of her?" It's just not fair.... And yes I know life is not fair...
....but how do I explain that to Gretchen, the four year old darling of a little girl who still thinks mommy is coming home? How do I tell her that Mommy went to go live with Jesus without her thinking that Jesus isn't a good guy? Because that's what happened.... Gretchen was told that Mommy went to live with Jesus and she replied with, "Well then I don't like Jesus..."
It's not fair... and I don't like it..... and I'm pretty angry with God about the whole thing...
After birthday celebrations wrapped up tonight, I packed up the good ol' Explorer and headed back to Commerce. As I was driving, I started thinking about Jeremey and the kids. I ended up texting Jeremey to let him know that I was thinking about him and the kids. I had to text him on Margaret's phone though, since that's the phone he is using now. It was weird to see that I was sending a text to her phone, knowing that it's not actually going to her.
And the waterworks turned on. As I drove down 30, I started wondering if he would get the text..and what he would be doing as he got the text....and would he text back? I figured Gretchen and Barton were probably already in bed, so he was just sitting up enjoying the peace and quiet. But was it peaceful for him...spending his first Valentines WITHOUT the love of his life? I can't imagine what that must be like.
Then I started thinking...will I EVER BE OKAY WITH THIS? I mean...really.... I probably break down at least once or twice a week since Margaret has passed away. Every time I think about the kids growing up without their mom, I get a knot in my stomach and a lump in my throat. I just don't see how God could do that. I feel like He was on vacation that day...as if that was the ONE DAY that He stepped off the throne. Of course I know this is not true....but it sure feels like it. When I get honest with myself, my heart is asking "How could a loving God STEAL an amazing, loving mother from two YOUNG kids who may never remember their mom?" I hate to admit it, but there are times that I think, "Aren't there plenty of other people who could have died that day instead of her?" It's just not fair.... And yes I know life is not fair...
....but how do I explain that to Gretchen, the four year old darling of a little girl who still thinks mommy is coming home? How do I tell her that Mommy went to go live with Jesus without her thinking that Jesus isn't a good guy? Because that's what happened.... Gretchen was told that Mommy went to live with Jesus and she replied with, "Well then I don't like Jesus..."
It's not fair... and I don't like it..... and I'm pretty angry with God about the whole thing...
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Ever since coming to Commerce, the sororities have been on my heart. The sorority houses are just right across the street from the BSM. However, we do not intentionally reach out to them in any way. It has been something I have praying about since early August.
At the end of last semester, I met Heather, a Kappa Delta who occasionally comes to the BSM. She had been praying about doing a small group for the girls in her sorority house. Well doesn't God work things out?
After a lot of running around trying to figure out the details and such, the small group for the sorority girls will be starting this Wednesday. I'm pretty excited about it. We will be going through Bad Girls of the Bible. I know that this is something that God has orchestrated, but I don't want to be too haughty about it. I'm still leaning completely on him for him to come through on this. There's no way I can lead a small group effectively without Him. I am praying that He will be so present this Wednesday that the girls that come will have to go home and tell the other girls in their sorority about the small group.
So if you think about it, pray for the our small group on Wednesday at 8:30.
At the end of last semester, I met Heather, a Kappa Delta who occasionally comes to the BSM. She had been praying about doing a small group for the girls in her sorority house. Well doesn't God work things out?
After a lot of running around trying to figure out the details and such, the small group for the sorority girls will be starting this Wednesday. I'm pretty excited about it. We will be going through Bad Girls of the Bible. I know that this is something that God has orchestrated, but I don't want to be too haughty about it. I'm still leaning completely on him for him to come through on this. There's no way I can lead a small group effectively without Him. I am praying that He will be so present this Wednesday that the girls that come will have to go home and tell the other girls in their sorority about the small group.
So if you think about it, pray for the our small group on Wednesday at 8:30.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
A new obsession
In case I haven't told you yet, my newest obsession is craft blogs. I am subscribed to WAY TOO MANY blogs kept by stay-at-home mom's that make all this cute stuff for their house. Well, I tried to make some stuff myself...and I thought I'd share my mere attempts.
I bought this plate AND the stand at the dollar store. I simply wrote a verse on it and now it's on the bar!
This candle stand was at Goodwill for two bucks. It was really dirty, with wax caked on all over. But with some cleaning and a couple coats of spray paint, it looks brand new!
I got these four glasses at a thrift store too. I cleaned them up and added some blue and brown marbles, and now I LOVE THEM!
I still can't decide if I like this or not. I bought a round styrofoam thing (no, I don't know the technical terms) at the dollar store. Then I went to Wal-Mart for fabric. LUCKY FOR ME, the Wal-Mart here in Commerce is getting rid of their fabric center, so it was all 70% OFF!! Now, this is hanging on my front door.
I bought this plate AND the stand at the dollar store. I simply wrote a verse on it and now it's on the bar!
This candle stand was at Goodwill for two bucks. It was really dirty, with wax caked on all over. But with some cleaning and a couple coats of spray paint, it looks brand new!
I got these four glasses at a thrift store too. I cleaned them up and added some blue and brown marbles, and now I LOVE THEM!
I still can't decide if I like this or not. I bought a round styrofoam thing (no, I don't know the technical terms) at the dollar store. Then I went to Wal-Mart for fabric. LUCKY FOR ME, the Wal-Mart here in Commerce is getting rid of their fabric center, so it was all 70% OFF!! Now, this is hanging on my front door.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Being Sick is NO FUN!
Thursday night, I my throat started hurting...didn't think much about it. Kept getting worse and worse throughout the weekend. Monday morning, I waved my white flag and made a doctor's appointment. His verdict...a bad case of strep and a sinus infection. I am now in quarantine. I woke up this morning feeling worse than yesterday. I switch between my bed and the couch. I have watched at least four movies...
I lead such an exciting life.
I lead such an exciting life.
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